Crowd violence between QPR and Millwall
Hoops remain six points clear at the top of the Championship but lost their 100% home record as Millwall produced a disciplined defensive display that, alas, was at odds with the behaviour of some of the spectators. The police mounted an enormous security operation around Loftus Road in an effort to prevent violence at the first meeting of these rivals for five years but fighting nonetheless erupted before and after kick-off.
Police made at least 11 arrests during an evening in which supporters fought in two pubs close to the stadium and scuffles and missile-throwing broke out in the stands following the final whistle. The arrests included three for assault and two for possessing offensive weapons. A steward said he pulled a dart out of a QPR fan's chest. The Football Association is likely to investigate the trouble inside the stadium.
Warnock suggested the decision to stage such a volatile match at 8pm rather than arrange an early-morning weekend kick-off may have played into troublemakers' hands. "It doesn't make any sense, but you never get sense out of the people who compile the fixtures," he said.
