FAW to investigate crowd trouble

The Welsh Premier League could play games behind closed doors as the Welsh FA investigate the crowd trouble that marred the North Wales derby.

One supporter was allegedly injured and the police helicopter was scrambled as an estimated 50 fans clashed prior to Rhyl's win over Bangor at Farrar Road.

"Given the possibility of potential trouble between the clubs," said FAW chief John Deakin.

"I think playing games behind closed doors perhaps should be considered."

Rhyl's 2-0 win returned them to the Welsh Premier summit in front of 709 spectators on Tuesday thanks to first-half strikes from Jamie Reed and Neil Roberts.

Rhyl are due to return to Farrar Road for a Welsh Cup fourth round clash on 31 January.

But heavy sanctions could now be imposed on that game by the Football Association of Wales after Tuesday's games was overshadowed by the ugly scenes on the Farrar Road terraces.

North Wales Police inspector Steve Williams confirmed: "We attended a large scale disturbance between rival fans where 50 people were allegedly fighting."

It is a sad state of affairs that a small crowd cannot go to a football match and behave themselves. Welsh Premier League secretary John Deakin

Welsh Premier League secretary Deakin has referred the incident to the Welsh FA's disciplinary committee who will launch a "full investigation."

No arrests were made by the police but Deakin warned any spectator named and shamed risks been slapped with a banning order.

It is not the first time Bangor supporters have tarnished their club as they were involved in ugly scenes of violence during their 4-2 Welsh Cup final win over Llanelli in May.

Llanelli players were targeted by opposing fans as they spilled onto the pitch when Bangor's Christian Sergeant equalised in the last minute of normal time.

Bangor were sanctioned heavily by the Football Association of Wales after their Welsh Cup final pitch invasion and fined £10,000, half of which was suspended for a year.

Both clubs could now face action from the Welsh FA following the unwanted scenes at one of the Welsh Premier's showpiece games.

"The penalties are predominately financial," said Deakin.

"In Bangor's defence they did carry out a risk assessment before the game and they did that in consultation with the local police.

"Bangor and Rhyl played the other week and the game proceeded without incident.

"They did try to prepare for any potential trouble but obviously that wasn't sufficient and we must take stock.

"Most people would not think 800 is not a large attendance but it is by our standards.

"And it doesn't matter how many people are there, if there are some who want to misbehave and act in a totally unacceptable manner it is very difficult to control.

"This has got to stamped out of Welsh football. It is a sad state of affairs that a small crowd cannot go to a football match and behave themselves.

"It's annoying that after one of the Welsh Premier's showpiece games, we are not talking about the quality of the football.

"I will contact the clubs and authorities involved as the FAW will conduct a thorough inquiry because crowd trouble has no place on our game."

North Wales Police were called in and inspector Williams added: "As soon as the police arrived, the disturbance was quelled.

"We remained at the game to ensure it could go ahead and ensured both sets of fans left the ground safely."