Soccer violence may derail 2018 bid

Police form a line on the pitch in between the opposing fans during the Carling Cup Quarter Final match between Birmingham City and Aston Villa at St Andrews in Birmingham. Picture: Clive Mason Source: Getty Images

Villa supporters responded by ripping up seats and threw them onto the St. Andrews pitch.

The violence was reminiscent of that which marred English football through the 1970s and '80s, but Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said the violence should not affect Thursday's World Cup vote in Zurich.

"Fans shouldn't come on to the pitch at any time. It soured it a bit for us," McLeish said. "I don't think that will affect the World Cup bid. I'm sure that's already decided, and let's hope England gets it because it deserves it.

"It doesn't look good, though, when you see fans running on the pitch like that and carrying on. It takes us back to the Dark Ages."

Police issued a statement referring to the violence as "sporadic outbreaks of disorder at the Birmingham derby."

Some matches between local or historic rivals in England can still attract fans intent on disorder.

But the number of arrests by police at all domestic and international football matches in England and Wales fell 10 percent last season.

"The FA abhors acts of violent behavior and we urge the clubs and authorities to identify any individual involved in disorder and impose the stiffest available sanctions including banning orders," the Football Association said in a statement. "The FA will fully investigate the matter in conjunction with the appropriate authorities."

There were 3,248 banning orders preventing known troublemakers from attending matches issued in the 2009-10 season - up from 3,180 a year earlier.

AP-WF-12-01-10 2323GMT