Fresh claims in Albion steward row
Albion have dismissed as "ridiculous" claims that their stewards tried to attack Reading's team coach in the wake of Wednesday's fiery FA Cup clash.
Albion have dismissed as "ridiculous" claims that their stewards tried to attack Reading's team coach in the wake of Wednesday's fiery FA Cup clash.
The row over the confrontation between Reading players and Hawthorns stewards intensified today as Royals midfielder Brian Howard accused stewards of attempting to board the visitors' coach.
But Albion responded with their second statement in two days backing up the behaviour of their matchday staff.
The statement by the club read: "Reading's complaints about the stewards' actions after Tuesday's replay are ridiculous.
"Royals manager Brian McDermott complained in his post-match press conference about the conduct of the club's security staff and his midfielder, Brian Howard, has today been quoted in a national newspaper accusing stewards of 'trying to get on' the Reading team coach.
"Albion totally refute these allegations and their stance has been supported by the independent match observer from West Midlands Police, who was satisfied with the stewards' actions both during and after the match.
"The FA requested a copy of the video of the game and we have provided them with an unedited version of ITV's coverage.
"If requested, we will also provide the FA with our closed circuit television footage. We are satisfied that, in difficult circumstances, the stewards acted in an appropriate manner."
Reading manager Brian Howard accused stewards of over-reacting in a melee that followed the sending-off of Royals winger Jobi McAnuff after the final whistle.
The argument rumbled on today as Howard levelled fresh allegations.
He said: "Even after the match the stewards tried to get on the coach but luckily they were stopped otherwise it would have been carnage.
"They started taking their jackets off and pointing at us to get off the coach and fight them. A few of the lads were going to get off and have a go.
"I thought I was outside a local boozer at one in the morning, not a football ground."
Howard also claimed stewards had persuaded referee Lee Mason to send off McAnuff, who was given his marching orders after the final whistle for violent conduct.
The Reading winger is reported to have grabbed Albion's Youssouf Mululmbu after the midfielder kicked the ball in frustration at the end of Albion's 3-2 defeat, striking McAnuff.