FAW - Newport Could Be Punished

David Collins, secretary of the FAW, has said that they have now received the referee's report into Saturday's FA Cup tie between Newport and Swansea and that they will make a decision on whether to punish Newport when they have received video evidence and a report from the Police.

This comes after fourth official Alan Sheffield was hit by a coin during the game, which the Swans won 3-1. Collins said "A ban could naturally follow, all aspects of the incident will be investigated."

"Once all that has been gathered we should be able to make a decision pretty quickly, probably later this week," Collins added.

"We will then take a decision with regard to misconduct charges

Gwent police confirmed that they are scrutinising TV footage of the match at Spytty Park, which Newport lost 3-1, together with video recordings taken by their own officers.

Detective Inspector Steve Webber said: "I now have a team of officers looking at this particular incident and we are liaising closely with the club in an effort to trace the offenders."

Gwent police issued a brief statement after the game.

It said: "A small minority of supporters attended the game with the sole intent of causing trouble.

"During the game an object was thrown from the stand and hit the fourth official who was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital."

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has urged supporters to help catch the culprits.

"It is absolutely unacceptable for players' or match officials' safety to be threatened during a match," Barwick said.

"We are urging clubs to do everything they can in conjunction with the police to identify the culprits.

"We want those people banned from attending matches. This is a recent trend which has to stop now."

Meanwhile, Newport have confirmed that they have taken disciplinary action against "We have taken appropriate action against Peter, but the level of discipline we have taken is a club matter.

"He had every right to dispute refereeing decisions, but he had no right to remonstrate in a foul and abusive manner.

"He has apologised for his behaviour but what people have to remember is that his management career is in its infancy and he is learning fast.

"I will not consider sacking Peter. He is a good, young manager who has taken the club out of the doldrums and into the top eight of the Conference South.

"He has done much to put the club back on the map and it was only last week that he was being acclaimed as the pied piper for 125 youngsters when we had one of the best soccer school weeks ever at the club." he told the Western Mail

"I can not comprehend what the FAW will do to us because I have not been in this position previously as chairman of Newport County," he said.

"But I would hope that we are not going to be financially persecuted for something that we have not done and, to be honest, is out of our control.

"As I said on Saturday, short of taking every coin away from people in a 4,660 crowd or putting up 20-foot fences what are we supposed to do?

"No, what I want is the person responsible to be identified and for that individual to pay any fine that is imposed."

Photo: Action Images

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