UPDATE: |Rochdale AFC issues bold statement after fans invade pitch in chaos News

The club has condemned the ‘unacceptable’ behaviour after fans ran onto the pitch and engaged in disorder outside the stadium

Rochdale AFC has issued a statement after fans ‘invaded the pitch’ and began scrapping, before violent scenes then continued outside the stadium over the weekend.

Following a 2-2 draw at the stadium on Sandy Lane, Spennymoor Town will be heading to Wembley following the penalty shoot-out in the FA trophy semi-final.

‌But moments after the game, fans from both sides clashed and engaged in chanting, before it spilled out onto the grounds. Fans said other supporters ‘invaded the pitch’ and clashed with stewards and police.

Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE

Chaotic video footage then showed disorder erupting outside the stadium, involving fans from both sides, with traffic cones also hurled at one another and scores of police descending on the incident.

Rochdale AFC has now issued a statement condemning the ‘unacceptable’ actions of those involved and are working with the police.

“Rochdale Football Club condemns the actions of those who invaded the pitch following Saturday’s tie against Spennymoor Town at the Crown Oil Arena,” a spokesperson said.

“We are fully supporting Greater Manchester Police (GMP) with their investigations into the unacceptable behaviour by a small percentage of people in attendance. GMP is working to identify the individuals involved who will be subject to the appropriate sanctions, including banning orders, if found guilty.

“The Club, along with the vast majority of its supporters, will not accept such behaviour at its matches and adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards those matters. Actions such as those displayed, from a small minority of people, harms our reputation as a family-friendly, welcoming Club.

“We will make no further comment on Saturday’s incidents until such time as GMP have completed their investigations.”

Police confirmed officers were called after fans from both sides ‘entered the pitch’ after the whistle was blown – but that the mob was quickly dispersed.

Outside the stadium, scores of police officers were seen standing guard in lines in an attempt to break up the chaos and stop further violent scenes boiling over.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called after fans from both sides entered the pitch after the final whistle. We always have resources available across the force area and extra officers responded to the incident after we were called.

“However, working with the club’s stewards, the fans were quickly dispersed, and the away fans left on their assigned coaches. No arrests were made.”

—

Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.

That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.

And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here.

You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.

If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.

And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on [email protected] or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.