Kinnear Wants FA To Take Action Against Mackems!

Last updated : 26 October 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Barton came under attack from Sunderland fans as he warming up, and he was told to 'move on' by stewards.

Barton was a late substitute and suffered amazing verbal abuse from the Mackems during the short spell he was on the pitch.

Sunderland fans caused trouble before, during and after the match, and the FA have the power to make Sunderland play games behind closed doors.

Kinnear: "I didn't see it as I was watching the game, but it's up to the FA to look at it".

Fireworks and missiles were thrown at police officers as Sunderland fans attacked Toon fans after the game.

More than 1,000 fans travelled by train and Metro, causing problems before and after the match.

A British Transport Police officer suffered a broken wrist separating rival fans near St Peter's Metro station before the match.

Several incidents of fireworks being thrown were reported and a mounted police officer narrowly escaped injury when her helmet prevented her from being hit. Her horse suffered minor burns.

Chief Superintendent Neil Mackay, head of Northumbria Police: "Twenty-nine arrests were made and I would like to thank all the stewards involved for their assistance and would also like to commend the actions of police officers, who remained professional at all times, despite a number of difficult situations, which they managed to diffuse quickly.

"There will be a post-match inquiry to identify and arrest those who committed offences and I would particularly appeal for the public to identify the people responsible for throwing fireworks.

"It is difficult to comprehend the mentality of this. It is only through good fortune that the rider and horse and anybody nearby did not suffer serious injury."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01661) 869 191.

There were a series of incidents inside the Stadium of Light, which saw Shay Given confronted by two home fans after Kieran Richardson's winner, Joey Barton pelted with missiles and clashes between rival supporters after a pitch invasion on the final whistle.

An FA spokesman said: "We will look into the incidents. We are awaiting reports from the officials and gathering information.

"Invading the pitch is a criminal offence and we will be working with the clubs and the police to identify those responsible for encroaching on the pitch and missile throwing.

"Neither the police nor the individual clubs will tolerate people running on to the pitch or violence inside the stadium, and everyone will work together to make sure those individuals are identified."