Luton fans have been criticised for ‘goading’ Sunderland fans during a pitch invasion, and ‘hitting’ Amad Diallo with footage of it emerging.
The Hatters now find themselves just one win away for returning to the top flight in English football for the first time since 1992, after overturning an initial deficit to defeat Sunderland, and reach the Championship playoff final.
Goals from Gabriel Osho and Tom Lockyer helped Luton overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit and advance to next Saturday’s final at Wembley.
Footage has emerged of a Luton fan in an altercation with Sunderland’s Amad Diallo, with @BenCra1g writing: “How is no one talking about how it very much looked like Amad got assaulted at full time when they ran onto the pitch as well? Stay classy Luton fans 👏”
Meanwhile, the Daily Star claimed that ‘Luton Town manager Rob Edwards looked unimpressed after jubilant fans invaded the pitch and mobbed stars’.
Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo, wrote alongside a photo of the pitch invasion: “Not a great look with the Luton supporters on the pitch goading the #SAFC fans…”
Not a great look with the Luton supporters on the pitch goading the #SAFC fans… pic.twitter.com/qJym0C2UAE
— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) May 16, 2023
— Shaun Harris (@shaunhftm) May 16, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio post-match:
“It was everything we want to be, we’ve got to try to stick to our plan, stick to what we’re good at.
“We did that tonight, I’m really proud of the players and so pleased for the supporters and everyone connected to the club.
“It’s the first time ever that we’ve won an EFL playoff game and to come from behind and win it here in front of our supporters was really special.
“We started fast, we knew where our strengths lay and where they might be lacking and took advantage.
“We scored a couple of good goals but we could have had more. It was really obvious, a few cleared off the line and an open goal missed towards the end, it was a really strong performance.”
Supporters being asked to leave the field pic.twitter.com/WhLjnC5BMY
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 16, 2023
Luton fans invade Kenilworth Road after reaching the Championship Play Off final pic.twitter.com/Ad6a5U6AmZ
— Layth (@laythy29) May 16, 2023
Former Luton player, manager and current chief operating officer Mick Harford told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“I am absolutely so proud of everyone at the football club, delighted for these super fans, they deserve their day out at Wembley – we are going there to win.
“For the club it’s immense and a magnificent opportunity to get to the Premier League.
“Overall, I thought the performance was brilliant. We got the ball forward a lot quicker, our strikers played very well, in the end it could have been four or five nil.
“It means absolutely everything for Luton to be going back to Wembley. From where we’ve come from, the hard work that’s gone into it, the attitude of all the players and staff – it’s fully deserved.”
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle:
“I knew Sunderland was a massive football club. Until you come through the door, you don’t realise how passionate the people who follow the football club are and how much it means to their lives.
“We hope we’ve given them some good days this year. Of course we need to get better, be more consistent and win more matches for them next season.
“It wasn’t to be tonight and they’ll be disappointed of course, but I’m proud of the team, proud of the young players, proud of the supporters, proud of the city.
“We can only grow from this point. If we get it right in the summer, if we recruit well and if we manage to keep more players more fit next year, this squad is good enough to compete again at the top end.”
As mentioned, Luton fans were criticised for ‘goading’ Sunderland fans and ‘hitting’ Amad Diallo…
@andrew0_mt: @LutonTown and @SunderlandAFC I hope you’re taking action and this fan gets a lifetime ban. @EFL
@half_biscuit: @EFL Assault?
@s_shots3: Man needs some anger management.
@jlwyoung_: Ban for life
@liamsafc73: @LutonTown disgraceful actions by your fans is this the type of behaviour you condone? I expect a statement from you addressing what you have done to prevent this offender from doing this again
@1879SAFC: Any comments on this @EFL or will you be turning your corrupt blind Fuxking eyes to this as well ?
@ColinWhittle5: Luton wanker
@gas335: The whole club is scum.
@DeanoCummings85: forget what a said about good luck to Luton. fuck them. Amad should have volleyed his fat, neckless head off his shoulders and into row 10 for him
@PaulSmith1961: These people are scum – end of – should be barred from all grounds for life – absolute scum – shame Luton FC have a shit show like this behind them on such a great night for the club
@garrynunn: @LutonTown how about sorting this idiot out. Should not be allowed out in the community, never mind a football ground.
@LevettDave: There’s no place in any sport for this @SkyBetChamp @EFL @LutonTown this idiot needs to be dealt with. I look forward to seeing how you deal with this
@95Trotter: Disgraceful behaviour
@Fantanafest73: That horrible blob of a coward should be banned for life for hitting a kid young enough to be his grandkid. Absolutely shameful. Simple as that. @SunderlandAFC thoughts on this @LutonTown?
@MitchSimpson: Track down this waste of space and make sure he’s never allowed into another stadium again @EFL
@Spmolnar1: This embarrassing tub of lard/piece of shit, needs to be identified a.s.a.p, so he’s prosecuted, banned from going to Wembley, and never allowed inside a football stadium, ever again.
@mick_smith_: Probably the fastest the fat twat has moved in years 🙄
Fans however did hit back criticism towards Luton supporters’ pitch invasion…
@fred_designs10: I don’t like Luton at all but, come on they’ve just reached the championship playoff final and are one win away from the premier league, not long ago they were in the national league, let them enjoy themselves and celebrate properly!
@ToonMouthTyne: That’s Football, Scott. Drink it in.
@Tommyesafc: Meh 🫤 sure we would’ve done the same if we’d made. Congratulations to Luton. A massive first season back in the championship for @SunderlandAFC and a successful one at that. We go again next season. Just the Start. Ha’way ❤️🤍
@K4MY_: I’m sure Sunderland fans would have done the same if it was the other way around. It’s a part of football.
@NUFC_DazzaD: That’s an absolute unbelievable look what you going on about 😂
@LukeStanbridge9: How is this poor. This is football. This is passion. This is absolutely beautiful
@PeterClewes2: Would of been bouncing round the pitch myself.🤷♀️ nowt wrong with celebrating and a bit banter. It’s what’s football is all about. We will give it back at some point but would like to congratulate them at the minute and hope they win at Wembley. Well done Luton
@DeanoCummings85: balls to that man let them celebrate. we’d have done the same.
@El_Cunto76: Why not. The mackems with their unwarranted arrogance were certain they were going to batter Luton 🤣. The mackems have been stinking up my feeds all week with their bravado! Told u us nufc fans would be laughing at u, when Luton spank you!👍🏻 well done Luton.
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