Albion's Chris Brunt coin throw: Teenage assault suspect bailed
A teenager arrested after a coin was thrown at West Bromwich Albion's Chris Brunt during the team's match against Reading has been bailed.
The 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of assault and throwing a missile in a football area on Tuesday, after Brunt had a 50p coin thrown at him in the aftermath of the Baggies' 3-1 defeat at Reading on Saturday.
And the suspect from Shropshire has now been bailed by Thames Valley Police until April 1.
Brunt suffered a cut under his left eye after the 50p was thrown at him by one of his own team's supporters following the FA Cup tie at the Madejski Stadium.
The former club captain, who this week thanked fans for their support after the incident, had gone over to give a young girl his shirt when the coin was thrown.
Speaking after the Reading match the 31-year-old said: "Obviously there's some people in the front who were angry, understandably, because we didn't play well or get the result we wanted.
"But there's absolutely no excuse for that and no place for it in football. I've been here a long time. Obviously we all get our fair share of stick but to be hit with a coin by your own fans is absolutely disgusting."
But Brunt said this week that the support he has received from supporters 'has been great'.
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis said after the incident that Brunt could have been blinded by the coin, but the former Stoke boss has since urged fans to move on from the throw.
"Traditionally it's a very honourable club who stick behind their players, and stick behind their team and their club," Pulis said this week.
"It's happened, you have to deal with it, and you have to move on."
"This is a very famous football club, it's one of the founder members, it's got great supporters."
Albion face Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns on Saturday and fans have organised a banner in honour of Brunt, as well as a collection for a charity of the Northern Irish international's choosing.
Former England captain Alan Shearer said the coin throw was 'disgusting', while Harry Redknapp described it as 'cowardly'.
The Football Association is also investigating the incident.
