FA will investigate Watford violence

The Football Association has launched a joint investigation with the Football League into the violence which marred Luton Town's 2-1 Worthington Cup victory over Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night.

Running battles were fought between rival supporters on the pitch when around 50 Luton fans jumped over advertising hoardings at the away end before kick-off, which was delayed by 15 minutes. One supporter was rushed to Watford General Hospital with a head wound after the skirmishes and two arrests were made.

Police restored order, but the match went ahead in a tense atmosphere and a minute's silence to mark the victims of 11 September was scrapped. The FA is awaiting reports from Hertfordshire police and match referee Peter Walton, but will investigate the violence.

A Football League spokes-man said: "We have called for reports from the teams and the police, etc, and are liaising closely with the Football Association, who are responsible for disciplinary matters surrounding crowd trouble. We understand they have also started their own investigation into last night's disgraceful scenes."

Watford are also investigating the incident, which followed disorder in Watford town centre prior to the match.

The Watford manager Ray Lewington admitted he thought the club had eradicated the hooligan element. He said: "We don't want it. Young kids come and watch games. It's terrible. I thought we'd got rid of all this years ago."

There was a heavy police presence outside Vicarage Road, but initially it was left to stewards to separate the rioters inside the ground. And it was five minutes before riot police emerged from the players' tunnel and took control.

A Hertfordshire police spokesman said: "A number of individuals were able to gain access to the pitch but a heavy police presence before the game ensured the disorder was dealt with quickly."

The Luton manager Joe Kinnear played down the trouble, and admitted he kept his players in the dark to help them concentrate on the match.

He said: "We got a message from the ref saying it was an 8pm kick-off. I told the players it was to let the fans in. They didn't need to know what was going on. They had to focus on the game.

"No one likes it but it happens everywhere, not just here but in most countries. Why should we give the 50 idiots any acknowledgement? The more you talk about the dummies the more you encourage them."

Matthew Spring and Steve Howard eventually gave Luton a shock win with two stunning long-range strikes in the first half, and Watford could not find a way back despite Dominic Foley's second goal in two games with 15 minutes to go.