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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 3, 2010

Soccer: English match ends in violent outburst


Associated Press

SHEFFIELD, England — A soccer player in England was chased off the field by fans, with one of them throwing punches at the back of the player's head as he fled.

A day later at another game, fans tried to attack visiting players, scuffled with security staff and tossed bottles.

Police made eight arrests stemming from Sunday's game between Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace in the League Championship. The 2-2 tie dropped Sheffield Wednesday to a lower division.

Palace defender Clint Hill was celebrating when he was besieged by fans.

The Football Association said Monday it will look at game tape and reports from match officials and probably will decide Tuesday on possible action. South Yorkshire police have promised more arrests on top of the eight made outside the stadium.

Trouble also flared Monday at a game between two teams trying to gain promotion to League Two. After York won 1-0 at Luton to capture a spot in the playoff final at Wembley, Luton fans attempted to get at the visiting players who were celebrating with their own fans.

They fought with police and security officials and began throwing bottles and other objects at the York players, who needed protection to get back to the locker room.