FA probe Millwall v QPR incidents with fans throwing objects at assistant referee and keeper

The FA are reportedly set to probe Millwall v QPR incidents with fans throwing objects at the assistant referee and the keeper.

The hosts managed to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 thanks to Tom Bradshaw and Murray Wallace steering the Lions back to winning ways.

Goals came during stoppage time in either half, giving Millwall their first victory in eight games on Boxing Day, while it was also their first home win for over three months.

Millwall are now six points clear of the Championship relegation zone, sitting 20th with 26 points from 24 games played.

QPR find themselves 22nd with 20 points, 24 games played, and five points from safety.

But the game was marred by an incident in the 57th minute, with it alleged that Millwall keeper Matija Sarkic was a target for QPR fans in the away end.

After giving an offside decision against Millwall,  assistant referee Matthew Wilkes could been seen holding his head before having talks with referee Thomas Bramall seeking medical attention before security staff were sent out into the stand.

Millwall boss Joe Edwards said after the game: “I was well aware there was an incident.

“I haven’t seen anything back and don’t have details so can’t comment but too much. But if an official has been struck by something from the crowd, that is something, behaviour we absolutely don’t condone. I don’t want to see that.

“I know there was maybe an incident with Matty Sarkic in the game as well, having stuff thrown at him. So they are issues the club is going to have to look into.

“There is relief after the run we have been on. The team really dug in today, there was tension around the game but we showed spirit. We need to keep building on this. It was a classic Tom Bradshaw goal – one that he started and finished – and we hope for more of those. There have been no discussions [about his future and contract – up in the summer].”

Game stopped with referee’s assistant on the near side holding his head. Seems to be suggesting something hit him after he gave an offside that stopped a Millwall attack #QPR

— Dan Evans (@danevansftbl) December 26, 2023

💬 #Millwall Head Coach Joe Edwards on today’s victory. pic.twitter.com/0KwRf8LGQt

— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) December 26, 2023

QPR manager Marti Cifuentes said: “You ask what went wrong… what went well? It was a poor performance, perhaps the worst since I have been here.

“That was a poor performance from our side.

“We didn’t start the game well. We couldn’t manage the high pressure or understand where the space was.

“When you play a team that starts aggressive with a high press, it is about activating the space in behind and we couldn’t find a way.

“We conceded a goal just before half time which is obviously a really bad moment to concede.

“In the second half we improved quite a lot in our build up, we had two or three situations where we got closer with Lyndon (Dykes) and with Ili (Chair).

“We had some good chances but once the second goal went in, the game was over for us.

“The performance we will definitely look at.”

Millwall: Sarkic 6; Leonard 6, Harding 7, Cooper 6, Bryan 5 (Wallace 71, 6); Norton-Cuffy 7 (McNamara 85, -), Honeyman 6, Saville 7, Emakhu 6 (Nisbet 83, -); Bradshaw 6 (Flemming 71, 7), Watmore 6 (Esse 83, -)

Subs Not Used: Hutchinson, Longman, Bialkowski, Mitchell

Goals: Bradshaw 45+3 (assisted Saville), Wallace 90 (assisted McNamara)

Yellow Cards: Emakhu 33 (foul), Honeyman 44 (foul), Wallace 90+3 (foul)

QPR: Begovic 5; Kakay 4, Dunne 3 (Cannon 63, 5), Clarke-Salter 6, Larkeche 5 (Dixon-Bonner 63, 5); Dozzell 5, Field 5, Paal 6; Smyth 5 (Adomah 79, 5), Dykes 4, Chair 6

Subs not used: Duke-McKenna, Archer, Richards, Kelman, Drewe, Armstrong

Yellow Cards: Dunne 9 (foul), Smyth 37 (foul), Chair 75 (foul)

With the FA said to probe Millwall v QPR incidents with fans throwing objects at the assistant referee and QPR keeper Matija Sarkic, here’s a reminder of what the Premier League and EFL said after joining forces to try and prevent crowd trouble.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “Everyone should feel safe and able to enjoy a football match. Together, with clubs and partners across football, we are making clear the type of incidents we saw last season must stop. If we don’t take collective and sustained action, it may only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured, or worse.

“These new measures are a strong response to a significant increase in fan behaviour issues, but we know it is the minority who have behaved unacceptably and unlawfully. Premier League football should be a fantastic experience for everyone and we don’t want matches to be marred by these sorts of events in the future.”

EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch said: “This season sees new measures introduced and sanctions implemented that will serve to remind everyone attending games – but particularly the minority of people behaving in an offensive manner – that there are real life consequences for the criminal, dangerous and irresponsible conduct at football. It is wholly appropriate that these unacceptable behaviours will now be dealt with through a combination of police action and automatic club bans. There is nothing like going to watch your team live and that is why the English professional game has taken strong collective action, to ensure the match day experience remains a safe and welcoming environment for all including fans, players, club staff and match officials.”

Football Supporters’ Association Chief Executive Kevin Miles said: “We are contacted by supporters on a fairly regular basis who have been caught jumping on the pitch, or with pyro in the stands, and without exception they regret doing it.

“Whether they had positive intentions or not is irrelevant in the eyes of the law – pyro and pitch incursions are illegal, you will be prosecuted and you will be banned by your club.”

To support this new package of policies and actions, today marks the launch of an all-football campaign. ‘Love football. Protect the game’ will make clear the consequences of, and sanctions for, illegal and dangerous behaviour as we seek to urge fans to help us protect the game and keep everyone safe.