Fight involving fans and Salford Red Devils players breaks out at rugby match
Rugby league club to investigate incident where several players jumped into stand, reportedly to protect their families, at Huddersfield Giants away match
Salford Red Devils players involved in fan brawl
Monday 28 March 2016 21.28 BST Last modified on Tuesday 29
Players at a rugby league match jumped into the crowd on Monday, saying they were protecting their families after fighting broke out in one of the stands.
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Images on social media showed some Salford Red Devils players in the away end as the altercation broke out, after it was understood that some of the players’ families had become distressed and were calling for help.
The Red Devils promised a thorough investigation into the scenes, which marred the end of their high-profile Super League match against Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s stadium.
The club also confirmed to the Guardian that it had begun an investigation into all aspects of the incident in an attempt to find those responsible.
Salford have said they have begun and investigation into the incident at the John Smith’s stadium.
Salford have said they have begun and investigation into the incident at the John Smith’s stadium. Photograph: SWpix.com/Rex Shutterstock
The spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Huddersfield Giants to identify those responsible for what happened following today’s First Utility Super League game against the Giants at the John Smith’s stadium. We are now fully investigating not just what started it, but those people involved too and how it was dealt with.”
Salford won the match 26-24.
The club had earlier taken to Twitter to insist they will work in cooperation with Huddersfield in finding those responsible, saying: “We’d like to apologise for the behaviour of some of our fans today. We’ll be working with @Giantsrl to find those involved. We do not condone any behaviour of the sort.”
The chief executive of the Rugby Football League, Nigel Wood, said: “We will conduct a full investigation into the events that took place in the away section of the crowd at the game between Huddersfield and Salford.
“We do not condone violence of any kind and will ensure that anyone found to have acted improperly is dealt with accordingly.”
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The RFL prides itself on the distinct lack of incidents like this within rugby league, with the sport consistently portraying itself as a family game as there is little history of fighting and violence such as this in recent years.
Salford owner, Marwan Koukash, is out of the country, but tweeted on Monday evening to condemn the violence.
Some of the players also used social media to express their dissatisfaction at the events. Joe Wardle, a Huddersfield Giants player who was at the game but was not available for selection also commented:
After the match, the Salford coach, Ian Watson, who was conducting his usual post-match press duties, insisted that those responsible have to be dealt with properly. He said: “They should be made accountable. This is a family game. They are not the type of fans we want.”
Huddersfield had also been approached for comment by the Guardian
Salford Red Devils have apologised for the behaviour of some of their fans after fighting broke out in the stands at the end of Monday's 26-24 win at Huddersfield Giants.
Salford winger Justin Carney and centre Junior S'au were pictured in heated exchanges with supporters as they tried to make sure their children were safe.
Club owner Marwan Koukash has promised to act against the fans involved.
"There is no place in rugby league for them," he said.
Salford head coach Ian Watson confirmed that the players had gone into the stands to get their children.
He said Carney's children - and those of team conditioner Greg Brown - were "a little bit shaken" by the incident, adding: "They're all OK, but they shouldn't be scenes you see at rugby.
Eorl Crabtree: Salford violence 'sad state of affairs'
"It should be a good game and family sport to come to. People that are causing problems and fighting don't deserve to be involved."
BBC Radio Manchester's Trevor Hunt, who was at the Super League game, said a flare was thrown from the Salford end and a supporter escorted out, moments before the trouble began.
Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood said: "We will conduct a full investigation into the events that took place in the away section of the crowd at the game between Huddersfield and Salford.
"We do not condone violence of any kind and will ensure that anyone found to have acted improperly is dealt with accordingly."
Huddersfield v Salford
Salford have won three of their opening eight league games
Huddersfield v Salford
Rugby league club to investigate incident where several players jumped into stand, reportedly to protect their families, at Huddersfield Giants away match
Salford Red Devils players involved in fan brawl
Monday 28 March 2016 21.28 BST Last modified on Tuesday 29
Players at a rugby league match jumped into the crowd on Monday, saying they were protecting their families after fighting broke out in one of the stands.
St Helens put up much-improved performance to beat Widnes
Read more
Images on social media showed some Salford Red Devils players in the away end as the altercation broke out, after it was understood that some of the players’ families had become distressed and were calling for help.
The Red Devils promised a thorough investigation into the scenes, which marred the end of their high-profile Super League match against Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s stadium.
The club also confirmed to the Guardian that it had begun an investigation into all aspects of the incident in an attempt to find those responsible.
Salford have said they have begun and investigation into the incident at the John Smith’s stadium.
Salford have said they have begun and investigation into the incident at the John Smith’s stadium. Photograph: SWpix.com/Rex Shutterstock
The spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Huddersfield Giants to identify those responsible for what happened following today’s First Utility Super League game against the Giants at the John Smith’s stadium. We are now fully investigating not just what started it, but those people involved too and how it was dealt with.”
Salford won the match 26-24.
The club had earlier taken to Twitter to insist they will work in cooperation with Huddersfield in finding those responsible, saying: “We’d like to apologise for the behaviour of some of our fans today. We’ll be working with @Giantsrl to find those involved. We do not condone any behaviour of the sort.”
The chief executive of the Rugby Football League, Nigel Wood, said: “We will conduct a full investigation into the events that took place in the away section of the crowd at the game between Huddersfield and Salford.
“We do not condone violence of any kind and will ensure that anyone found to have acted improperly is dealt with accordingly.”
Wakefield’s Craig Hall sinks Leeds Rhinos hopes of Super League revival
Read more
The RFL prides itself on the distinct lack of incidents like this within rugby league, with the sport consistently portraying itself as a family game as there is little history of fighting and violence such as this in recent years.
Salford owner, Marwan Koukash, is out of the country, but tweeted on Monday evening to condemn the violence.
Some of the players also used social media to express their dissatisfaction at the events. Joe Wardle, a Huddersfield Giants player who was at the game but was not available for selection also commented:
After the match, the Salford coach, Ian Watson, who was conducting his usual post-match press duties, insisted that those responsible have to be dealt with properly. He said: “They should be made accountable. This is a family game. They are not the type of fans we want.”
Huddersfield had also been approached for comment by the Guardian
Salford Red Devils have apologised for the behaviour of some of their fans after fighting broke out in the stands at the end of Monday's 26-24 win at Huddersfield Giants.
Salford winger Justin Carney and centre Junior S'au were pictured in heated exchanges with supporters as they tried to make sure their children were safe.
Club owner Marwan Koukash has promised to act against the fans involved.
"There is no place in rugby league for them," he said.
Salford head coach Ian Watson confirmed that the players had gone into the stands to get their children.
He said Carney's children - and those of team conditioner Greg Brown - were "a little bit shaken" by the incident, adding: "They're all OK, but they shouldn't be scenes you see at rugby.
Eorl Crabtree: Salford violence 'sad state of affairs'
"It should be a good game and family sport to come to. People that are causing problems and fighting don't deserve to be involved."
BBC Radio Manchester's Trevor Hunt, who was at the Super League game, said a flare was thrown from the Salford end and a supporter escorted out, moments before the trouble began.
Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood said: "We will conduct a full investigation into the events that took place in the away section of the crowd at the game between Huddersfield and Salford.
"We do not condone violence of any kind and will ensure that anyone found to have acted improperly is dealt with accordingly."
Huddersfield v Salford
Salford have won three of their opening eight league games
Huddersfield v Salford
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