- The game has been suspended with eight minutes and stoppage time to go
- Have YOU seen what happened? Email miriam.kuepper@mailonline.co.uk
The FA Cup derby clash between West Brom and Wolves has been halted after violence broke out in the stands between supporters of both sides, with fans storming the pitch and players being forced to take their children to safety.
Footage shared on social media shows unrest in the crowd as about 50 police officers and stewards try to hold back the crowd as they wield batons at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich.
‘I’ve seen it bad, but never like this,’ said one lifelong West Bromwich Albion observer as he watched a man led across the pitch, blood pouring from his face.
At one point Albion defender Kyle Bartley was seen bringing his children – a young boy and girl – to safety as the unrest on the pitch escalated.
The match had always had the potential for violence as it was the first time these rivals had met in front of fans since 2012 and the clash had been designated high risk, with security increased and the kick-off scheduled for 11.45am.

A blood-covered fan is taken away by police officers after trouble breaks out between fans during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers

At one point Albion defender Kyle Bartley (pictured) was seen carrying a young boy while holding the hand of a little girl as he tried to escape the unrest on the pitch

Security guards tried to stop the bleeding as they led the man away

A fan is taken away by police officers after trouble breaks out between fans during the English FA Cup fourth round football match

Police line the edge of the pitch after trouble breaks out between fans during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich

Police and stewards line the edge of the pitch after trouble breaks out between fans during the English FA Cup
In the 78th minute of the game, as the Wolverhampton Wanderers had just upped their lead to 2-0, violence broke out in the corner of the West Stand and Birmingham Road End.
It was part of the ground which theoretically should have been holding solely home supporters but there was a lot of pushing and shoving, with some fans spilling onto the pitch.
About 30 police officers and a similar number of stewards rushed over to calm the situation – but despite four announcements for fans to leave the field, the game was not restarted as fans were reluctant to get off the pitch.
The players of both teams left for the changing rooms and an announcement warned fans that the game could be abandoned if those on the pitch wouldn’t return to their seats.
About half an hour after the original interruption to the game, the players returned to the pitch to warm back up.
Albion defender Bartley, who was seen holding a young child on the pitch, did not return to the field for the restart of the game and has been substituted.

Police officers run to reinforce colleagues at the other end of the ground after trouble breaks out between fans

Stewards and police clash with fans as play is stopped due to crowd trouble
There had been about 250 riot police deployed to the area and the atmosphere was tense.
It was unclear what had caused this flashpoint though towards the end of the first half, Wolves supporters seemed to have been ejected from the Albion end.
There had been baiting and provocation from both sets of supporters throughout but the security teams looked to have it under control under the final distressing scenes.
An FA statement read: ‘The disorder that occurred is completely unacceptable.
‘Safety and security are of the utmost importance and the behaviour of those involved was dangerous and inexcusable.
‘We will be investigating these serious incidents alongside the clubs and the relevant authorities and the appropriate action will be taken.’