Millwall cleared as Hammers face crowd trouble sanction

WEST HAM and Millwall have both been cleared of charges of racist abuse by their fans but the Premier League side has been found guilty of two other offences of breaching Football Association rules.

An FA independent disciplinary panel will decide on West Ham’s punishment tomorrow in relation to charges brought following crowd violence at their fiery Carling Cup match with Millwall in August.

Millwall have been cleared of all charges, however, and West Ham have also been found not guilty of a further charge relating to missile throwing.

The FA would not comment on the commission’s decision to find the charges against both clubs of failing to prevent racist behaviour by fans “unproven”, though they are expected to do when the full findings of the disciplinary hearing are published.

Both West Ham’s England striker Carlton Cole and Millwall’s Jason Price claimed they had been racially abused.

The Hammers were found 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.

The club could still face a range of possible sanctions, including being forced to play games behind closed doors, though a heavy fine now looks more likely.

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.