West Ham and Millwall face racism charges

LONDON - The Football Association (FA) will charge West Ham United and Millwall on Monday over the alleged racist behaviour of their fans during the violence that marred their Carling Cup tie last month.

In total West Ham face four charges over the incident and Millwall three, with both clubs facing heavy fines or possible ground closure.

West Ham forward Carlton Cole and Millwall forward Jason Price both say they were racially abused during the tie at Upton Park on August 25, leading to charges for both club of “failure to ensure their supporters refrained from racist behaviour”.

In the most serious disturbances at English football in several years, one man was stab bed and 13 arrested while the game was held up three times by pitch invasions.

West Ham and Millwall are also both charged with failing to ensure their supporters “refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour” and “did not throw missiles, harmful or dangerous objects on to the pitch”.

West Ham face the additional charge of failing to ensure that their supporters did not enter the field of play.

The clubs are expected to contend that they cannot be held responsible for the behaviour of their fans outside the ground.

West Ham say they were praised by police for their handling of the away fans inside the stadium and are expected to claim that it is almost impossible to prevent fans from going on to the pitch.

Millwall, meanwhile, were unhappy about not being consulted over the security arrangements for the tie and the decision by police to limit tickets for away fans.

They also question how they can control their fans in an away stadium.