FA investigate Royals cup melee

Anthony Smith • Published 25 Feb 2010 15:00 2 Comments

THE Football Association are investigating the post-match bust-up between Reading and West Bromwich Albion stewards in the aftermath of Wednesday night's historic FA Cup victory at the Hawthorns.

Royals winger Jobi McAnuff was shown a red card in the ugly melee that erupted at the final whistle as Brian MCDermott's players attempted to celebrate their 3-2 extra-time victory with their travelling fans.

Albion stewards tried to repel the Reading players sparking a heated confrontation that dragged on for at least a couple of minutes.

In the midst of that McAnuff was shown a red card by referee Lee Mason for clashing with Baggies' midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu.

It is believed Mulumbu kicked a ball in frustration which hit McAnuff who retaliated.

Reading are appealing the red card which would otherwise mean a three-match suspension for the 28-year-old star.

McDermott has launched a staunch defence of McAnuff and accused the stewards of over-reacting during the fifth round replay.

The FA have asked West Brom for footage of the incident and spokesman Scott Field said: "I can confirm that the FA will be reviewing reports of incidents that occurred during the West Bromwich Albion versus Reading cup tie at the Hawthorns last night."

It is thought referee Mason mentioned the incident in his report which will also be looked at by the FA.

If McAnuff's red is upheld, he could miss Reading's quarter final against Aston Villa on Sunday, March 7 (1.45pm ko) as well as this Saturday's Championship basement battle against Sheffield Wednesday and another six-pointer against Derby County on March 10.

But McDermott argued: "It doesn't sound like Jobi. The referee has seen what he's seen and he'll do what he has to do.

"Then there were stewards on the pitch and we were just trying to celebrate with our fans but it was difficult.

"If you've got a lot of stewards coming towards you it's quite perturbing really, and one of them apologised to me afterwards.

"But for me, none of that takes the gloss off anything. It was a fantastic night and I'm proud of every single one of our players.

"The game started and finished at 100mph, that's what the FA Cup's about, I thought that was a fantastic game - both sets of players gave absolutely everything."

The victory saw Reading claim their place in the quarter finals for the first time since 1927.

Jimmy Kebe - scorer of the fastest goal in FA Cup history with his 9.7 second strike in the original tie - netted again but a brace from Baggies' Robert Koren looked like sending the hosts through.

However, Brian Howard made it 2-2 with an injury-time equaliser before Gylfi Sigurdsson struck a sensational 25-yard winner in the fifth minute of extra-time.

"I'm just so proud of my team. I'm not just proud of them for what they've done in the FA Cup, I'm proud of them for giving me absolutely everything since I've been manager of this club," admitted an emotional McDermott.

"I'm just delighted for everyone at the club and that's the first time in 83 years we're in the last eight. That is a long, long time and for me this cup run has put us back on the map.

"Our lads will never forget this and neither will our supporters. It was a fantastic evening and I'm so proud of everything and everyone involved."

And McDermott paid tribute to 20-year-old Sigurdsson's wonderstrike - his 10th goal of an increasingly impressive campaign - which continued his record of scoring in every round so far.

"He'll go down in Reading folklore," stated mcDermott. "He's one of those players who can come up with a big goal and he's done that for us once again.

"He scores decisive goals - he's done that against Liverpool, he's done it against Burnley and he's done it again now."

READING'S away fixture at Scunthorpe has been moved to Tuesday April 20 (7:45pm).

The home game Derby County has been put back a day to Wednesday March 10 (8pm).

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Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  JB
  Unregistered User
  Feb 25, 21:10
  Report comment

  Do Readign also celebrate by punching an opposing player and shoving the referee? That's is what cause the melee, Reading players didn't even try and celebrate until they had all come wading in to get involved.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  waitrose not tesco
  Unregistered User
  Feb 25, 22:11
  Report comment

  From what I could see the Tesco's stewards were very heavy handed. Looked to me like they sparked the whole thing. Bad losers! Quite funny though really because I'd swap the quarter final for their place in the league any day
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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