FA fine Port Vale after play-off semi-final disorder
The FA have announced that Port Vale FC have been fined £15,000 after crowd disturbances following their dramatic play-off semi-final win over Swindon Town.
Vale supporters invaded the pitch after the penalty shootout victory over with Swindon Town players accusing some fans of confronting them. Swindon manager Ben Garner said some players had been ” physically and verbally abused.”
There was further disorder when Vale fans on the pitch approached Swindon fans in the Bycars stand. There appeared to be trouble from both sets of fans with objects thrown at Swindon fans, while video footage shows seats being thrown from the stand towards the fans on the pitch.
Police have issued photos of fifteen fans, from both clubs, which they wanted to identify and seven fans, six from Stoke-on-Trent and one from Swindon, have subsequently been banned.
An FA statement said:
Port Vale FC has been fined £15,000 for a breach of FA rule E20 that occurred following their EFL League Two fixture against Swindon Town on Monday 16 May 2022 (sic). Port Vale FC admitted failing to ensure that its spectators – and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers – conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch area at the conclusion of the fixture.
An independent regulatory commission subsequently imposed the sanction, which remains subject to an appeal, and the written reasons for its decision will be published in due course.
Port Vale co-owner Carol Shanahan condemned the action of the small minority of fans who caused trouble saying “they will be dealt with. They are not welcome at the club and they are not welcome in the sport.”