The Football Association are almost certain to launch an immediate investigation after ugly scenes marred a memorable FA Cup victory for Second Division Cardiff City over the mighty Leeds United. Cardiff overcame their Premiership opponents 2-1 thanks to a late strike from Scott Young but City's fans then ruined any glory their club had gained from the win when a pitch invasion at the final whistle turned nasty.
Cardiff supporters poured onto the field and towards the corner of the Grange End stand where 2,200 Leeds fans were gathered. Coins and other objects were hurled between the two groups of supporters and the South Wales Constabulary were forced to intervene as they attempted to restore order, resulting in a baton-wielding charge by the officers and also the introduction of alsatians. A number of fans had to recieve treatment on the pitch after being injured in the melee.
Cardiff supporters were also guilty of throwing objects at the players during the match with Ian Harte the target inside the first minute as he prepared to take a throw. A plastic bottle just missed the full-back but referee Andy D'Urso was not as fortunate as he was hit by a coin on the side of the head 10 minutes from time, which saw him requiring treatment from Cardiff's physio Clive Griffiths.
With the controversy surrounding Alan Smith's sending-off at the stroke of half-time also added to the equation, this Cup tie will be remembered for some time to come. Despite Smith's disciplinary history - this was the sixth time in his young footballing career that he was shown the red card - manager David O'Leary may appeal D'Urso's decision as it appeared Smith struck Andy Legg in the face accidentally. O'Leary admitted he believed the red card may have been somewhat harsh but admitted his striker could have been a victim of his own reputation.
"I think there's an agenda with Alan Smith. The referees show no benefit of the doubt with him, they jump on him straight away. Sometimes he gets what he deserves and on other occasions he is a victim," said O'Leary. However, the Leeds boss did urge the FA to examine several incidents during the tie when objects were thrown from the crowd. "I hope the FA look at it, the amount of bottles - small liqueur bottles - thrown at my players. I thought that had gone in this country, a scandalous amount of bottles came on and hit my players," said the angry Irishman.
A Football Association spokesman tonight said the governing body would await a report on the match from D'Urso before deciding whether to launch an investigation but with the crowd trouble that followed the end of the match and the two incidents during the game when Harte and the referee could have sustained serious injury, there is little doubt the FA will be forced to conduct an inquiry.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
