THE FA is investigating after families were struck with chairs as a minority of Colchester United fans caused chaos during a tense cup clash last night.
Children were seen to be in tears as some supporters ripped chairs from Ipswich Town’s Portman Road stadium and launched them into their own stand, striking fellow fans.
A flare was also launched onto the hallowed turf causing a brief pause in play as the U’s claimed an historic 1-0 victory over their East Anglian neighbours in the Carabao Cup.
A Football Association spokesman has told the Gazette an investigation into crowd-related issues has been launched.
Niki Howard, the football club’s dedicated police officer, Tweeted he hopes those involved in the “idiotic behaviour” didn’t ruin it for others.
“[I’m] aware of some issues within the ground tonight,” he said. “It is extremely disappointing behaviour to hear of.”
Another fan who witnessed the concerning events stated stewards were shifting families from rowdier parts of the crowd into a quieter section amid fears for their safety.
No home supporters are understood to have been injured during the match and no chairs made it onto the pitch.
U’s supporter Tracey Welsh, who was at the game, told the Gazette “a wonderful result was completely ruined by idiots” as the shocking behaviour started midway through the first half.
She said: “There were children crying and families leaving to escape. Ipswich children were crying too. People were bleeding from flying seats.
“It’s our first win at Portman Road since 1951 but it’s so sad the real fans could not enjoy it and were scared.”
Fellow fan David Clayton called for a zero tolerance approach on those responsible, adding it was “sad to see frightened kids having to move”.
“Unfortunately some idiots took it upon themselves to shame the club and throw seats,” he said.
Another supporter added: “The majority of fans were amazing as always but dozens were breaking and chucking solid plastic seats down towards the pitch, hitting their own fans.”
UPDATE: Colchester United owner and chairman, Robbie Cowling, has now issued a statement in response to the incident.
Mr Cowling said: "Today should be a day when all Colchester United fans feel nothing but pride in their club.
"Sadly, we are having to hang our head in shame today thanks to a group of fans in the Colchester United end that have embarrassed our club with their mindless violent behaviour.
"It wasn’t enough for them to spoil the occasion for everyone else by being ultra-abusive.
"They also sunk to a new low that I have not witnessed in my time at the club, whereby they destroyed some of the seating in the area Ipswich had allocated to our fans and threw the broken parts into the rows below them that were occupied by other Colchester United fans.
"These areas included families with very young children but that was of no concern for the mindless thugs that have shamed the club they claim to support.
"A number of Colchester United fans had to receive treatment for the injuries they sustained from the broken chairs that rained down on them. Some whilst they cowered to protect their young children.
"Although we were competing against Ipswich Town last night, I can assure everyone that the two clubs will be working closely together to identify those responsible to the police and to assist in any way we can to ensure they are punished in full for their unacceptable behaviour.
"I wish to apologise to everyone that was subjected to this appalling behaviour, and also to our hosts Ipswich Town who were gracious in defeat but rightfully upset with the behaviour of fans in our allocated area.
"We all hope that victories like last night’s historic win at Portman Road happen much more frequently than every seventy-one years, but I’m sure most Colchester United fans will never again want to be associated with last night’s appalling thugs.
"Therefore, if you can do anything to help us identify those involved so that we can distance them from our club, please do so."
Ipswich Town Football Club declined to comment when approached.
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