Violence at soccer tie as fans pelt players

CROWD trouble again marred an end-of-season soccer match yesterday as York City players had to take cover in the stands after they were pelted with missiles by Luton Town fans.

York's players had to be escorted into the stands by stewards and police as opposing fans charged on to the pitch after yesterday's Conference play-off semi-final second leg at Kenilworth Road in Luton. York had been celebrating an aggregate2-0 win which gives them a Wembley date for the chance of winning promotion back to the Football League.

The ugly scenes followed crowd trouble at Sheffield Wednesday's game against Crystal Palace, on Sunday, when eight fans were arrested and players were forced to flee the pitch.

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York City's chairman Jason McGill said one of the players, Richard Brodie, had been struck by a coin yesterday.

He added: "There was a lot of coin throwing towards our players and supporters – it wasn't very good at all. The scenes were pretty bad, I've not witnessed anything like that since I've been in football. It's very difficult to take."

Luton Town's chairman Nick Owen has promised to hold an investigation.

Meanwhile further arrests could be made this week after trouble erupted outside Hillsborough following Sheffield Wednesday's relegation from the Championship.

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The club said yesterday it would work closely with police in a bid to root out the fans responsible for the violence that marred the game against Crystal Palace.

Rivals fans clashed after invading the pitch, while outside the ground a reported crowd of 150 yobs threw stones at officers and went on the rampage.

Police arrested eight fans for public order and assault, but more arrests could follow.