Player Jamie Devitt was allegedly punched in the face during ugly post-match scenes at Walsall v Carlisle on Saturday afternoon.
Shortly after the end of Carlisle’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, there was a big bust up with the Cumbrian outfit’s manager Paul Simpson claiming that Devitt, an unused substitute in the game, was struck in his face.
He claimed he didn’t know who punched his player but he said that Walsall boss Michael Flynn had also apologised to Carlisle for some of his players’ behaviour after the match.
He said that he was disappointed with the way they had banged on Carlisle’s dressing room doors during their celebrations.
Paul Simpson said Jamie Devitt was punched and left with a black eye in ugly post-match scenes at Walsall.
Home boss Michael Flynn, meanwhile, apologised for the behaviour of some of his team. Simpson also called the fourth official a “disgrace” #cufchttps://t.co/MrqyfsiwDR
— Jon Colman (@joncolman) November 26, 2022
@kyle.shankland1 My pov of the full time scrap #walsallaway #facupround2 #carlisleunited #awaydays ♬ original sound – kyle.shankland1
Speaking about the melee, Simpson said: “Hayden White [the Walsall defender] was causing a problem with Jon Mellish over on the far side, that’s the first thing I saw, but we sorted that and everybody was walking off.
“I’m told that [Walsall sub Jack] Earing was winding up our fans and Jamie Devitt said to him, ‘Look, you’ve won the game, just get off the pitch’.
“Dev said he doesn’t know what happened after that but somebody came and sort of rag-dolled him, then belted him.
“He hasn’t got a clue who it was, and then unfortunately all hell broke loose after that.
“I don’t know what else has gone on. All I know is that Jamie Devitt has a black eye.”
On if the incident will be investigated, Simpson added: “I don’t know whether they’ve got CCTV over there. I don’st think it’s right for players to wind up opposition fans, I think that’s wrong, it’s something that’s disrespectful – I don’t think it’s the right way to win in the right way in my opinion.
“We have to deal with that. It looks as if it’s a bit of anger and sour grapes [after we lost] but all I know is there’s only one player that’s got a black eye and that’s Jamie Devitt.”
“I didn’t think there was any need for it – they’d won the game but they haven’t won with respect in my opinion,” he said.
“There were some stupid things getting shouted down the corridor and to be fair to Michael Flynn he’s brought a couple of players to apologise for it.
“I don’t believe that’s the right way to go about things, and I think they were disrespectful at the end of the game.”
U mean doing this? Cant your players and fans take it back after giving it. Did Edmondson not good walsall fans after scoring also pic.twitter.com/m4uTr6mtLK
— Snowey Snow (@Snoweysnow) November 26, 2022
“The referee was stood there but he didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on for the whole of the afternoon,” Simpson said.
Walsall boss Michael Flynn, speaking to the BBC after the game, confirmed he had asked some of his players to apologise to Carlisle.
“A couple of our players knocked on their door after the game, over-celebrating, and I’ve made them apologise to Paul and to the players.
“They’ve held their hands up. I’m somebody who wants to win in the right way, be respectful. Carlisle have still got to come here again, and I didn’t want there to be any bad blood.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Paul, and I know Paul Gerrard and a couple of their players.
“We’ve got to be respectful. I would say the FA Cup excitement got the better of them but it won’t happen again.
“This was when we were inside. It was a few handbags on the pitch, which you’ve all seen, but we try and do things the right way.”
Paul Simpson “I don’t think it’s right for players to wind up opposition fans, I think that’s wrong, it’s something that’s disrespectful, I don’t think it’s the right way in my opinion”….. pic.twitter.com/d8CXjNmzXj
— Vital Wal$all (@VitalWalsall) November 26, 2022
“The fourth official spoke to our staff with a total lack of respect,” Simpson said.
“I’ve got real respect for officials, a massive amount of respect. I know it’s a really tough job.
“The fourth official today was a disgrace the way he spoke to our staff. I don’t like that.
“I do respect them, but I don’t think he’s shown any respect for us.
“I don’t know his name, don’t know who he is. His behaviour was totally unacceptable.
“I know for a fact the referee heard it, he’s told a member of staff he heard it and it wasn’t right. I hope something gets done about it.”
SEE MORE: Eventful FA Cup Second Round sees more upsets plus Third Round draw ball numbers revealed
This is how fans reacted at claims a player was punched in the face during ugly post-match scenes at Walsall v Carlisle…
@amberjadejonesx: So when they scored and Armer didn’t go straight to the celebration because he was running in front of the home fans shouting into the crowd unprovoked, that’s okay? But when away fans have give it the biggun to a player all game and he gives a bit back at the end, that’s not?
@SMFC21: I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to call “Bulls**t” on this. I distinctly recall Mr. P. Simpson winding up opposition fans and giving it the big one when he was at Wolves and Blackpool. Hypocrite.
@Leeedgar7: Massive hypocrisy
@TeacherCompute: Course all that time wasting by Carlisle wasn’t a wind up at all. When Dennis was being subbed and he stopped 3 times on his way off to pull up his socks…
@CllrDicicco: Looks like this led to the issues later on!
@DANAZA2022: Look at there players when thay scored there 1 goal Paul Simpson is a twat and trying to say carlise were the better team no chance walsall was the better team by far
@TitchenerSi941: Think he needs to look at his own players … number 3 was deliberately trying to offend the Walsall fans after they scored… best look at yourself before you criticise others .
@mazsurti: What about that little cocky shit Armer in the first half. Anyone in block 1/2 see him acting the big un towards us
@RobMorley_: Simmo rent free in Walsall heads
@BeardClubGary: Right. This faux rage only happened because they lost. You know it, we know it, it’s ok. However, their goal wasn’t the only shithousing Carlisle got up to. Edmondson had his fun with the goal and that’s fine. Crowds should take as well as give.
@wfcbanksy: Carlisle Manager after the scrap – Walsall over celebrated and one of my players has a black eye – fucking love this team 🤣❤️
@WOTWalsall: Players knocking on the Carlisle changing room after the game is fucking hilarious 😂 up the bastard Saddlers
@lewis06797925: imagine ur manager having to bring players into the opposing teams changing rooms to apologise , embarrassing
@elixt_1: You can’t dish it out and then react when you can’t take it, embarrassing club
@cufc_andy17: Dish what out? Earing winding the away fans up then, unprovoked, thumped our Jamie Devitt leaving him with a black eye? I can take the defeat however Jack’s actions…those were ‘embarrassing’ pal.
@oliswift_182: Don’t even buy that he means this. If I was manager I’d absolutely love it. Players get absolute dogs abuse volleyed at them for 90 mins every Saturday. Actually rate it when they give it large. Luckily this lad got his comeuppance 😅
@wfc_cam: Pure karma time wasted as much as they could, gave it large when they scored up the fucking reds
@cufcdanny: It really does feel like Carlisle are back to their old self – everyone hates us! And to be honest, it’s a bloody great feeling! Walsall now added to the list who have a hatred for us now. All I’ve seen since full time is Walsall tweeting & complaining about us! #cufc
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