Police appeal after violence erupts at QPR play-off

 
Wanted: Police are asking for help tracking these five men
Gareth Vipers19 May 2014
WEST END FINAL

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A police appeal has been launched after violence erupted during a football match.

Police are appealing for help in identifying five men they would like to speak to after pushing and shoving "turned nasty" during the Championship play-off semi-final at Loftus Road between QPR and Wigan, Scotland Yard said.

It kicked off during the second half of the game when stewards attempted to remove a fan from the upper tier of the South Africa Road stand at the match last Monday.

Chief Superintendent Colin Morgan from Specialist Crime and Operations Public Order Branch said: "This incident started with some pushing and shoving at the top of the stand.

"It quickly turned nasty as a large group of supporters and stewards fell and were forced backwards down the steep stairway that separates the stands.

"It was made worse by some supporters who then chose to punch, push and kick at the stewards. It was pure luck that no one was badly hurt. We will deal robustly with those responsible for disorder, whether inside or outside football venues, and we will bring them to court."

Anyone who is able to identify any of the men pictured is asked to contact officers from Operation Arrowtip on 020 8246 0076 between 08.00 and 16.00hrs.

Operation Arrowtip is the Metropolitan Police Service's ongoing response to football-related disorder and criminality.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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