Police make arrest over coin attack on Albion's Brunt

Police said Tuesday they had made an arrest after an incident that saw West Bromwich Albion's Chris Brunt hit by a coin apparently thrown by one of his own club's fans.

Brunt was struck as he went to applaud the Baggies' travelling support following the Premier League club's 3-1 FA Cup defeat at second-tier Reading on Saturday.

Thames Valley Police wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: "TVP and Hants (Hampshire) Police made an arrest today in relation to a coin throwing incident at @ReadingFC vs @WBAFCofficial FA match on Saturday."

Soon after he had been struck on Saturday, Baggies defender Brunt said he was "absolutely disgusted and ashamed" by what had happened to him.

Meanwhile Albion manager Tony Pulis labelled the attack on the Northern Ireland international "barbaric".

"We have seen an incident where a lad who has played over 300 games for this club could have had his eye out," said Pulis.

"He has a cut and it's not too far away from his eye, it's an inch away from striking him in his eye and if that happens we're talking (about) a very, very serious problem.

"It's barbaric.

"This has got to be one of the worst things I have seen. It's the way the game is going.

"Social media and everything else builds up an anti-feeling if things are not going well at football clubs. We have to be very careful with it."

Coins were also thrown during Chelsea's 5-1 FA Cup win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with home supporters seemingly aiming at City players as they celebrated David Faupala's equaliser, although in this case it appeared no one was hit.
Source :AFP