Away ban for City-Lions matches

City fans will be banned from the game at the New Den

Away fans will be banned when Manchester City and Millwall face each other in the First Division this season.

There is a history of trouble between the two clubs, who made the decision after discussions with football authorities.

A joint statement was issued on Tuesday by Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis and his City counterpart David Bernstein.

It said the clubs had information that the fixtures may be used as a "catalyst for football troublemakers from a number of clubs to cause problems,"

Both clubs do not want to subject their localities to the difficulties experienced two seasons ago

Joint City and Millwall statement

The statement said the trouble could be used "by others as a cover to commit crime and engage in anti-social behaviour."

The two league games between the sides, on 6 October at the New Den and 30 January at Maine Road, will now be restricted to home fans only.

Both clubs are planning to beam live TV coverage of their respective away games back to their home grounds.

The trouble between the sides started two years ago when they were in the Second Division.

Millwall fans invaded the pitch four times at the New Den in September 1998.

City players also had coins thrown at them and were spat at and threatened.

Police said hooligans from other London clubs were involved in the trouble and Millwall escaped punishment.

In the return game at Maine Road the following February, seats were thrown from the Millwall supporters' section of the ground.

And there were minor skirmishes between rival fans during and after the game.