- West Brom’s FA Cup match with Wolves was suspended for almost 40 minutes
- Fan violence left players fearing for their loved ones in the Black Country derby
- Do you know who caused yesterday’s chaos? E-mail: tips@dailymail.com
A West Brom fan has thanked Wolves stars Craig Dawson and Matheus Cunha for asking if his son was okay during the crowd violence at the Black Country Derby.
Embarrassing scenes at The Hawthorns left players fearing for the safety of their loved ones in the stands as the match was suspended for almost 40 minutes.
Baggies defender Kyle Bartley was pictured rushing into the stands to take his daughter away before being substituted to tend to his family.
There was tension between the supporters throughout the derby, but it exploded shortly after Cunha put Wolves 2-0 ahead in the 78th minute, when West Brom supporters thought they had seen their rival fans cheering in the home section.
This led to fans storming the area they thought Wolves fans were occupying before police and stewards intervened.
After three confirmed arrests, one fan was taken to hospital to be treated for head injuries when graphic scenes emerged.
West Brom fan Liam Dunn thanked Wolves stars Craig Dawson and Matheus Cunha for comforting his son
West Brom fan Liam Dunn (left) has thanked two Wolves players for checking on his son
The West Brom fan and his son were pictured on the pitch, where Dawson and Cunha spoke to them
A 16-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of carrying a weapon before the match, with police now reviewing body camera footage to identify more supporters involved.
During the violence, the players appeared to put their rivalry aside as a West Brom fan has now thanked two rival Wolves stars for checking on his son’s welfare.
Dawson was booed during the match, having made the switch to Wolves from West Ham having previously played for the Baggies. But there were two home fans who held no grudge against the defender after his classy gesture during the clash.
Take to XLiam Dunn posted a photo with his son as he wrote: ‘Aside from the rivalry, despite previously being trampled and pushed out of our seats amongst the madness, I would like to thank Craig Dawson and Cunha for asking if he was okay and unharmed!’
“I know fans aren’t allowed on the field, but it was the safest place to hold him at that time.”
The father then posted a photo of his son after the match as they took pictures with West Brom players.
“As you can see he was fine after the match, normally the photos resumed after the match,” he wrote.
Baggies defender Kyle Bartley was pictured rushing into the stands to remove his daughter
Embarrassing scenes at The Hawthorns left players fearing for the safety of their loved ones
Dunn’s son took photos with the West Brom players after the match
Albion captain Jed Wallace condemned the post-match violence as he admitted he was concerned about the young supporters.
He said: ‘That’s the family area, so a few kids were there, that’s why you had the sadness that a few players went there.
‘You have to trust the authorities to do what they did. They had the situation under control, but as a father you will of course have those worries and concerns for your children.’
This statement was echoed by Wolves boss Gary O’Neil when he said: ‘Everyone at a football match wants to feel safe. Children and the elderly could be in that area and we should not discuss such incidents because they should not happen.
“I know there were families and children of players in that area and I hope everyone is doing well.”
The FA has confirmed that an investigation is underway ‘together with the clubs and relevant authorities’ and appropriate action will be taken.