Three arrested after fans invade pitch following Southampton FC win

Three people have been arrested after scuffles broke out when hundreds of football fans ran onto the pitch following Southampton’s Championship play-off semi-final second leg match against West Brom on Friday night.

Home fans flooded the field at St Mary’s in celebration after their club progressed to a Wembley final against Leeds with a 3-1 win in the second highest rung of the English Football League.

Trouble then flared when some supporters made their way to the end of the ground where the West Brom fans were and scuffles broke out and punches appeared to be thrown.

Fans had been urged to stay off the pitch at the full-time whistle but when thousands of people disobeyed, some of those remaining in the stands jeered.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman confirmed that two men from Southampton, aged 26 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of going on to the football pitch.

A 24-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, using threatening behaviour and obstructing/resisting a police officer.

The force spokeswoman said: “The vast majority of fans attending the Southampton v West Brom match yesterday evening, both at the stadium itself and in venues around the city, did so responsibly and respectfully.

“There were, however, a minority contingent of fans from both clubs who sought to engage in public order offences, including entering the pitch during the match.

“We had a number of police resources in place throughout the city over the course of the evening which meant we were able to swiftly intervene and help mitigate any risk of large scale disorder.

Still not over this...