Police are investigating crowd trouble during Stevenage FC's 1-0 win against Cambridge United at the Lamex Stadium earlier this week (Tuesday, February 27).
Trouble erupted at half-time, when stewards in the stand containing Cambridge United's fans appeared to eject one supporter.
Multiple other fans were ejected, and missiles including bottles and vapes were seen being thrown between both sets of fans. One fan from the East Terrace, occupied by Stevenage's supporters, jumped onto the pitch before being restrained by stewards.
Three yellow smoke bombs were also thrown onto the pitch from the Cambridge United end, with one leading to a disruption in play as the visitors sought an equaliser in the final minutes.
Police officers remained in the southeast corner of the ground, between the two sets of fans, throughout the second half and were seen filming both sets of supporters.
More than 6,500 fans attended the match, an all-time record for a midweek match at the Lamex Stadium, and kick off was pushed back by 15 minutes to eight o'clock due to congestion outside the ground.
In a statement published on their official website today (February 29), Stevenage FC said that they "condemn the conduct of a minority of fans".
They continued: "We are particularly disappointed that smoke bombs were smuggled into the stadium by Cambridge fans, despite a full body search and bag search of adults entering the stadium.
"The yellow smoke bomb thrown onto the pitch by a Cambridge supporter towards the end of the game is especially disappointing.
"Fortunately, there were no players or officials nearby and the stewards were especially quick to remove it from the pitch so play could resume.
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"The Club’s safety team are conducting a full investigation and are working with the police to identify any perpetrators involved."
They have invited supporters to assist their investigation "in confidence" by emailing info@stevenagefc.com, and added that the club "will act swiftly and to its full powers to ban and prosecute individuals who break ground regulations and commit anti-social behaviour".
Cambridge United also posted a statement on their website yesterday, saying that they were "deeply disappointed" by the "disgraceful behaviour of a minority" of their own supporters.
The club said: "They do not represent who we are as a Club and we are taking the issue very seriously.
"Unacceptable conduct was witnessed by both sets of supporters and the Club is already working with the Police to identify those involved from Cambridge United.
"We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and will sanction those responsible accordingly.
"In addition, the Club is aware of multiple safety matters which arose last night within the stadium and is working in conjunction with Cambridge United Supporters Pannel (CUSP) to collate information which in turn will be shared with the relevant authorities."
Ch Insp Ian Grout, from Hertfordshire Constabulary, told the BBC that they were investigating the incidents.
He said: "We are aware of the events which took place at the match between Stevenage and Cambridge United on Tuesday.
"We are in conversation with both football clubs as part of our investigation and we are reviewing footage that is available to us."
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