Man City face FA probe as three fans hauled off pitch and others fight with police in stands during Southampton draw

MANCHESTER CITY face an FA rap following ugly scenes at the end of their draw at Southampton.

Three pitch invaders had to be hauled to the ground by Saints stewards while fans were also captured grappling with security and police in the stands.


The St Mary’s club will investigate reports of at least one object being thrown and a flare was set off in the away end.

Saints will review CCTV footage and decide what further action needs taking.

At least one of the pitch invaders was apprehended by stewards and then apparently handed over to police.

It was an unsavoury ending to a compelling 1-1 draw — and it was not only fans who were involved in post-match confrontations.

City forward Jack Grealish and Saints ace Oriol Romeu had what home boss Ralph Hasenhuttl described as “a conversation” in the tunnel at full-time.

Grealish angrily pushed Romeu in the first half of the game when the Spaniard told him to get up following a bad foul by Southampton defender Jan Bednarek.

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The Premier League declined to comment on the crowd trouble.

Initial responsibility for dealing with supporter behaviour lies with clubs and local authorities, including the police.

The FA will deal with any disciplinary issues but City could face a rap for failing to control their fans.

City defender Aymeric Laporte posted a Twitter picture of his gashed thigh after a sickening studs-up challenge from Saints midfielder Stuart Armstrong.

Incredibly, Armstrong received just a booking, despite a VAR review.

Laporte said: “We played really well and maybe deserved more, but if we don’t score more than one it’s very difficult.”

Hasenhuttl hailed his side for stopping City’s winning machine — again.

Saints followed up their goalless draw at the Etihad in September by halting City’s run of Prem victories at 12.

Hasenhuttl said: “We got a point at the Etihad but to do it again is even more remarkable.

“City had a week to prepare and they came with their best team.

“It’s amazing not to lose to them, really fighting for the point and deserving it because of the effort and the passion we put in.

“For me, Pep is the best in the world.

“To come away unbeaten against him means a lot to my staff and to this team.”

Saints took an early lead through Kyle Walker-Peters but Laporte equalised in the second half.

Walker-Peters was delighted with his first Prem goal and the full-back said: “It wasn’t a bad finish was it?

“It is a great feeling and even better being in front of the home fans.”

Southampton deserved a point and City boss Pep Guardiola said: “That’s why it’s the hardest title to win every season.

“What can I say? Even if we won, it’s not over.”

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