UK police arrested a 16-year-old football fan on suspicion of carrying weapon

A 16-year-old football fan was stopped by police and arrested in a pub for possessing an offensive weapon prior to West Bromwich Albion's nasty FA Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Play in the Black Country FA Cup derby at The Hawthorns was suspended for more than half an hour after trouble flared in the stands and fans spilled onto the pitch.

But it has now been revealed that of the six arrests made thus far by West Midlands Police, one of them came in a pub before the game, with the teenager stopped and searched in a pub.

Those arrested were:

A 16-year-old held on suspicion of an offensive weapon after he was stopped by officers using Section 60 stop and search powers in a pub before the game

A 29-year-old man arrested for affray after violence in one of the stands

A 24-year-old man arrested for violent disorder after pushing towards officers

A 33-year-old man arrested for violent disorder and assaulting police officers after pushing one officer to the floor and kicking out at another

A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after picking up a corner flag and brandishing it as a weapon

A 58-year-old man arrested for assaulting a police officer after throwing punches at officers.

'What we saw yesterday was completely unacceptable violence directed at both fans and officers, which sadly led to the suspension of the game,' Chief Inspector Tim Robinson, of West Midlands Police's football department, said on Monday.

'No football fan wants to see that. It's important to stress however that it was very much a minority of fans involved in the trouble, and the vast majority of supporters were a credit to their clubs.

'Our policing operation was very much targeted against those who we know or suspect are involved in football violence, and our priority at all times is keeping people safe.'

He added: 'A number of officers have been injured, and we have already started the process of reviewing evidence including body worn video and CCTV to ensure that we identify and arrest all of those involved over the coming days and weeks.

'We'll be working with both clubs and the FA. Those involved in the disorder can expect to receive club bans and wider football banning orders.'

Emotions had been running high throughout the match, which kicked off at 11.45am and was the first between the neighbouring clubs in front of spectators since 2012.

The tensions spilled over shortly after Matheus Cunha fired Premier League Wolves into a 2-0 lead and effectively settled the fourth-round tie 12 minutes from time.

Fans clashed with officers and some players feared for relatives sitting near the trouble - with West Brom's Kyle Bartley going into the crowd to get his children out.

West Brom issued a statement condemning 'in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes' which disrupted the game and vowing to work with West Midlands Police and the FA to investigate the matter.

'The club will work with West Midlands Police and the FA to fully investigate the incidents which resulted in a suspension to the game,' a spokesperson for the club said.

'Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to potential criminal investigation.'

A statement by the Football Association read: 'The disorder that occurred is completely unacceptable.

'Safety and security are of the utmost importance and the behaviour of those involved was dangerous and inexcusable.

'We will be investigating these serious incidents alongside the clubs and the relevant authorities and the appropriate action will be taken.'

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil told ITV after the 2-0 win that the outbreak of violence between fans was 'really disappointing'.

'Up until that point, it was a good tie with good atmosphere,' he told ITV.

'How people behave at football is really important and we need to look at that, make sure everyone is safe.'

He added: 'I know the West Brom players' families were in that area, which is a concern. I really hope that everyone is OK.

'I'm not really sure what stoked it, but we got the fixture played without any more trouble happening.'

Some West Brom players were concerned for family members seated nearby and went into the stand to remove their children.

Albion captain Jed Wallace said: 'That is the family area so a few of the kids were over there, which is why you had the distress of a few players going over.

'You have to trust the authorities to do what they did. They had control of the situation but naturally when you're a dad you're going to have that distress and worry for your kids.

'Normally at half-time nobody would ever go on their phones, but during the stoppage a couple of lads were on their phones checking everyone was OK, and everyone is fine.

'I don't know how long we were in the dressing room (about 30 minutes) but it felt a long time. There was a bit of confusion over whether we would come back out or not. Once we knew everyone was OK we could focus on the game again.'