Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.West Ham have been found guilty of breaching FA rules following crowd violence at their Carling Cup match with Millwall in August.
Millwall have been cleared of all charges however and both clubs have had charges of failing to prevent racist behaviour by fans declared as "not proven" by an disciplinary panel.
The FA's independent regulatory commission will decide West Ham's punishment on Friday after finding the club guilty of two charges: failure to ensure their supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour, and failure to ensure their supporters did not enter the field of play.
West Ham face a range of possible sanctions including being forced to play games behind closed doors and a heavy fine.
The violent clashes led to 64 arrests and the stabbing of a Millwall fan outside Upton Park, and there were pitch invasions during the match.
The FA said in a statement: "An independent regulatory commission last week heard charges issued as a result of the serious crowd disturbances in and around the West Ham United versus Millwall fixture at Upton Park on 25 August 2009.
"It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure that their supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.
"The independent regulatory commission, chaired by an independent QC, found West Ham United to be in breach of FA rules in the following respects: failure to ensure their supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour; failure to ensure their supporters did not enter the field of play.
"The commission will reconvene this Friday (15 January) to consider the issue of sanctions.
"The commission found all charges against Millwall not proven.
"The FA will now await the full written reasons from the independent commission before making any further comment."
Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler said the decision vindicated the club's vigorous defence against the charges.
Ambler told the club's website: "Millwall FC welcomes the verdict in respect of our club as we have always maintained that we were innocent of the charges.
"As ever this club condemns all misbehaviour within football stadia and works tirelessly to eradicate misconduct and to continue to change an unfair and distorted misconception of Millwall Football Club and its fans.
"We thank the FA commission panel for their judgement and we will make no further comment until we receive and consider their full statement on the matter, which we anticipate will be on Friday."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments