Hull slam ´mindless´ Millwall fans

Hull are to seek financial compensation from Millwall for the damage done to their KC Stadium ground as a result of the “mindless hooliganism” of some away supporters during Saturday’s FA Cup tie.

Police made 12 arrests after more than 50 seats were ripped up and missiles thrown during a match the Premier League home side won 2-0.

“There is no place for this kind of mindless hooliganism in football,” said Hull chairman Paul Duffen on Sunday.

“It is an ugly throwback to a bygone era which most clubs have long since eradicated from their culture.

“Hull City Football Club will be seeking full financial compensation from Millwall for all the damage and will be making the strongest representations to the football authorities regarding this incident.”

Millwall, who despite the best efforts of successive club officials to kick-out trouble makers, have long been infamous for the violent conduct of some of their fans, could now be punished by the Football Association.

A spokesman for the governing body said: “We are aware of what happened and will be making investigations in conjunction with the police and both clubs.”

Trouble flared in the corner of the ground where the north and east stands meet after attempts to segregate rivals fans failed before kick-off.

Riot police were called in to deal with the situation and at full-time police officers on horseback patrolled the touchlines in a bid to prevent further trouble.

Millwall issued a statement which “strongly condemned” the behaviour of those responsible for the violence at the KC Stadium.

The third tier League One club’s executive deputy chairman Heather Rabbatts added: “These people will now be identified by other clubs and police forces as potential trouble makers and treated accordingly.

“We at Millwall will continue to take responsibility for doing everything in our power to rid ourselves of a criminal element which clearly sees big games involving our club as an opportunity to indulge in anti-social behaviour.”

Rabbatts stressed football hooliganism, a widespread problem for the English game from the mid 1970s through the 1980s, had not gone away and wasn’t just an issue for Millwall.

“What is even more vital now is that everyone working in football wakes up to the fact that there is still an anti-social hooligan element in our society which continues to be attracted to football as a vehicle for their activities.

“While Millwall’s name was again the one that hit the media headlines, so-called Hull City fans were also arrested on Saturday – and there were problems at other games, just as there have been during the course of the season.

“Football clubs and the football authorities have to redouble our efforts in working with police and other agencies to tackle what remains a major issue for all of us.”