Six arrests have been made so far as shocking new footage emerges of the Birmingham – Millwall trouble from Saturday afternoon.
Fights broke out across the city after the game with West Midlands Police warning that more arrests will be made as they continue to investigate what happened in and outside the St Andrew’s stadium.
The force said bricks, bottles and other objects were used as weapons in hotspots around Digbeth and other areas between the stadium and New Street railway station, as reported via Birmingham Live.
Birmingham vs Millwall
Tertemizpic.twitter.com/dBxx2c0UwQ
— AjansHaber1903 🇹🇷 (@AjansHaber1903) April 25, 2022
Millwall has now released a statement over the violence, saying: “The club is assisting the police and other authorities with their investigation into disorder involving both sets of supporters following the conclusion of Saturday’s game. Any individual found guilty of such offences will receive an indefinite ban from home and away matches.”
Before the match even began, a 60-year-old Millwall fan was seriously injured in an attack in front of his family near to the ground.
West Midlands Police immediately launched an investigation following the assault in Cattell Road, at around 3pm yesterday (Saturday, April 23).
A 30-year-old man from Smethwick was arrested in connection with the incident not long after and taken straight into custody.
The victim, a Millwall fan remains in hospital. Police say it is believed the man, from London, was with his family and had just arrived at the Blues ahead of the game against Millwall when he was assaulted.
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A spokesman for West Midlands Police added that a motive for the attack was unknown and investigations have already seen CCTV in the area examined and forensic examinations take place. Officers are supporting the man’s family. The spokesman added that the force is working closely with both football clubs.
WMP said their officers had to use their shields and have their batons at the ready while wearing their public order helmets in order to prevent further chaos from ensuing.
A further five men were arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences including non-recent offences at football matches, racism, violent disorder and public order crimes.
Police urged anyone involved to go to their local police station to get in contact to officers.
Around 150 seats inside the stadium were also vandalised, smashed or tore up and thrown during the game.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We’ve arrested five people after fights across Birmingham today (Saturday 23 April) following the Birmingham City v Millwall match. We had a large operation in place for the fixture but incidents broke out across a large area of the city.
“The level of violence – which our officers put themselves in the middle of to protect people – meant some of our officers had to wear public order helmets, use shields and draw their batons, while continually warning people to move away. We understand how the scene may have scared people who had nothing to do with the violence.
“Our Football Policing Unit and detectives from Force CID have opened a joint investigation. They are working closely with both football clubs and supporter groups.
“More arrests will come in the following weeks meaning anyone involved should immediately go to their local police station to explain what happened. Witnesses have been spoken to and CCTV is being reviewed alongside images posted online.”
Chief Superintendent Ian Parnell (pictured), said: “It is important to remember that despite how disruptive these incidents were and the fear they caused others, the behaviour of these people represented a minority. The violent behaviour was unacceptable and we will do everything we can to find those responsible so that they can be punished appropriately by the courts.
“We always push for the maximum punishment and we are supported by the clubs in this. Most fans just want to enjoy the game but a minority have ruined today for the majority. In addition to the impact criminal convictions have on jobs, future careers, travel rights and more, people found guilty of football related crimes risk lifetime bans from all games.
“There was a large operation in place for today’s three games. Officers from across the West Midlands were called in to help, supported by dog units, drone teams and others, and cancelled days off. The clubs were each involved in creating and supporting those plans.
“Our preparations meant that we successfully stopped lots of incidents before they started and most people will never know about those. The security plans and the bravery of our officers also meant that we were able to quickly get things back under control in the multiple, sporadic locations covering a large area where people were intent on violence.”
Twitter users reacted as six arrests are made while shocking new footage emerges of the Birmingham – Millwall trouble…
@jdkinsella: Should of policed it better. You could see that there was going to be trouble after the game. But let both of fans out, at the same time.
@RobtheDog5: Stand your ground he says as he’s walking away 😂
@JordanSeaborne1: Biggest bunch of freaks ever and that’s for all ‘hooligans’ getting Stella’d up to the max and pick on small blokes but get battered by the bigger ones so they go home and tune their birds to make them feel big
@AJV_1993: Some fucking weirdo if you go to the football to start fights with the opposite fans you know 😂 grow up
@Niallrobo25: Got be a proper melt spending your weekends doing this
@alrightfans: In one fifteen second video that fella has just lost all his geezer points he’s built up over the years he must be fuming. Danger: Next weekend he will be out being a turbo charged fridge freezer standing ground all over the place proper standing people’s ground for them and that
@bantalols: I’ve watched hundreds of hooligan fight videos (I don’t seek it out, just on timeline) and it always amazes me how little actual fighting is going on. It’s very ritualistic and posturing. More like Haka than an actual fight. But total shit
@JamesKay89: Love this.. absolute whopper shouting stand your ground whilst he’s 15 yards away from where it’s kicking off! Idiot seen too many films 🤣🤣🤣 #Plastic
@ROSSH1872: Shouting stand your ground while actively avoiding confrontation 🤣
@HTAFCYork: Family club of the year that Millwall lot!
@Tomo_scfc: Copper see’s them 2 scrapping and tells the steward go to them 😅😅😅
@QPRNINJA: Some top quality windmilling there.
@Themonk96239825: 2 Millwall and all them lairy brum fans and not 1 of em helped the fella getting a dig in the home end 😂😂
@smoggyrob87: Embarrassing the lot of them
@CoplagaDenny: Better than the fury fight last night 😂😂😂
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