Ref blows whistle on pitch battle 'aggressors'

We have received a copy of the report delivered by the match official to the Irish FA on Monday. And in it he blows the whistle on players and officials on both sides, claiming that "there were more aggressors than peace makers".

Mr Crangle told the IFA that the now notorious fifth round JJB Sports Irish Cup tie "deteriorated into anarchy" before he abandoned it after 82 minutes, when Newry City were leading 2-1 and two Larne players had been sent off along with their manager, Paul Millar.

The violence that ensued has been roundly condemned and both clubs, faced with the prospect of being kicked out of the Irish Cup, as well as hefty fines and suspensions, have engaged in damage limitation exercises.

Larne Football Club has suspended one player – Anthony Lagan – pending further inquiries and urged Newry to take similar action against one of their players, who is cited in the referee's report for throwing a punch.

Mr Crangle, who said he watched the fighting from the tunnel with his assistants, added that "tempers flared between players and technical staff from both clubs" after the three red cards were shown.

His report states: "The occupants of the Larne dug-out had entered the Newry technical area to confront their opposite numbers, with the exception of the physio, who remained in her own area.

"As my assistants and I tried to restore calm Mr White (Larne no 5) forcibly manhandled an injured opponent and dragged him off the field of play. Mr White's actions would have resulted in dismissal had proceedings not detriorated into anarchy.

"Newry City players reacted to the actions of Mr White, thus ensuring that confrontation developed between players.

"Fighting then broke out between players, substitutes and coaching staff.

"The situation deteriorated further as pockets of players broke away to fight in various areas of the pitch. At this point I observed Mr Feeney (Newry no 4) throw a punch at a pocket of Larne players, which led to Mr Lagan (Larne no 8) and others chasing Mr Feeney and forcing him to the ground, where Mr Lagan kicked him aggressively in the head."

Despite the referee's allegation and pictures which appear to show the player aiming a kick at Feeney's head, Larne officials claimed this week that no contact was made.

Club chairman Archie Smyth also said: "What the pictures don't show as well is the fact that three Newry players chased our substitute goalkeeper all the way round the pitch. It says something about the fitness of our reserve 'keeper that they couldn't catch him."

Mr Crangle's report continues: "Having consulted with my assistants about the ensuing events, I felt the only course of action was to terminate the game. For the safety and well being of my assistants and myself I decided we should leave the field of play whilst stopping to observe proceedings from the tunnel. As players got close to the tunnel area we decided to enter our dressing room to avoid any confrontation.”

The referee finished his report, saying: “While I have no doubt some of the players and staff from both clubs tried to diffuse the brawls that took place, it is my opinion that there more aggressors than peace makers.”