March 27 2012 - Five sent off in Crawley brawl

BBC video (UK only) (Outside the UK contact me for the link)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17441660

The press loves a good fight...

http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7631018/Five-Off-In-Bradford-Brawl

@Wiz_ICC "Love how it takes the BBC about 4 weeks to put some match highlights together but as soon as a fight kicks off they're straight on it "

Richard Sutcliffe ‏ @RSootyYPSport Mar 28 3pm
"Just spoken to the FA and they expect to reveal in next 24-48 hours if City and/or Crawley will be charged over last night's brawl"

T&A, YP links (some articles copied & pasted below)

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/bradford-city-1-crawley-town-2-red-cards-dominate-night-to-forget-for-poor-bradford-1-4391012
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9616007.Brawl_boys_add_to_Bradford_City_woes/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9616010.Night_of_shame_as_FIVE_sent_off_after_Bradford_City_loss/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9617406.Bradford_City_accept_red_cards/
http://www.twitvid.com/J3H01

View from the Crawley side
http://www.narrowtheangle.com/2012/03/missing-paragraphs-from-crawley-towns.html?m=1
http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,11025,00.html



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Bradford City accept red cards

11:52am Wednesday 28th March 2012

By Simon Parker

City today decided not to appeal against the three red cards from the Crawley brawl.

Jon McLaughlin, Luke Oliver and Andrew Davies were all sent off after the game for their part in the melee which followed the final whistle.

But Mark Lawn has confirmed the club would not be looking to get referee Iain Williamson's decisions overturned.


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Night of shame as FIVE sent off after Bradford City loss

8:00am Wednesday 28th March 2012

By Simon Parker

Shell-shocked Phil Parkinson will today try to get his head round the incredible post-match brawl that has blown a huge hole in City's survival

ambitions.

Defenders Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver plus goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin were all shown red cards in the dressing room after the 2-1 home loss to

Crawley ended in a free-for-all.

McLaughlin and Oliver now miss the next three games – while Davies is likely to be banned for five after being sent off for a third time this

season.

Referee Iain Williamson also dismissed Crawley defenders Pablo Mills and Claude Davis after the melee in the centre circle.

Parkinson admitted he was lost for words – but slammed Crawley's tactics for "making it into a war".

He blasted: "That's the way Crawley play. We told the players before the game not to get involved and we have.

"If you look at Crawley's record, they incite that type of incident. Speak to every manager and there's a long list of them.

"If you're going to be successful and you have to do it that way, then it's quite a sad indictment on our game.

"But we have to keep our discipline better. If our players have thrown punches they'll have to face the maximum fine.

"I can't remember being in a situation like this. To get three red cards (after the game) like this is unheard of."

Parkinson claimed the fight was triggered by Crawley substitute Davis throwing a punch at Davies. The City centre half responded and other

players piled in.

But the City chief felt Williamson could have waited to view the incident again on DVD before taking action.

He said: "I thought he should have waited to look at it. But he was absolutely adamant that the players he picked out deserved to be sent off.

"I had as good a view as the ref and I couldn't pick the players out as clear as that. It's a big call and you have to be sure."

Parkinson is expected to recall keeper Matt Duke from Northampton for Saturday's crunch trip to relegation rivals Plymouth. Guy Branston could

also come in from the cold to cover the absence of both centre halves.

The City boss said: "I don't think too many managers have been in this position. I'm finding it quite a difficult one to get my head round.

"To lose the players is a big blow for us, especially Andrew Davies who's been terrific. He stood up to it magnificently again and he will be a

big miss.

"It was a tough game because Crawley got back to front really quickly and put your back four under pressure. I thought we did okay in the main."

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Brawl boys add to Bradford City woes

6:10am Wednesday 28th March 2012

By Simon Parker

City 1, Crawley 2

A dark day for Bradford sport was topped off by incredible post-match scenes which later saw FIVE players sent off as City lost at home for the

first time since mid-November.

After the bombshell news about the precarious plight of the Bulls, the local sports scene could have done with an immediate pick-me-up from the

football club.

Instead a fourth defeat in five games leaves the Bantams still far too close to the drop zone for comfort – but the result was completely

overshadowed by the shocking events that unfolded after the final whistle.

Both sides went at it in a full-scale brawl and the result was red cards for three City players – Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and Jon McLaughlin –

as well as Crawley pair Claude Davis and Pablo Mills.

It had started with a skirmish between Davies and Davis and quickly got out of hand. Football Association repercussions are likely to follow –

and Davies has now been sent off three times. It was an unsatisfactory finish to a night of frustration for the home side.

There was nothing in it against the biggest spenders of the division in a scrappy contest. But with Saturday's huge trip – both in terms of

significance and distance – to Plymouth looming, an opportunity was missed to create some much-needed breathing space on the teams around them.

Crawley's robust style of play does not win many admirers. They had five men booked and frustrated the crowd with their time-wasting.

And boss Steve Evans will never win a popularity contest. But his side's in-yer-face approach is proving horribly effective as they close in on a

second straight promotion.

Crawley edged a game of headers as Gary Alexander clinched their fourth straight win five minutes after Chris Dagnall had broken his City scoring

duck.

With no baby news to report as yet, Kyel Reid made another pre-match motorway trip from London to play. Given the amount the team had travelled

over the past month, he was certainly clocking up the miles.

But it was a major boost for Phil Parkinson to have Reid available again after his sizzling form against Gillingham at the weekend.

There were two changes from Saturday with David Syers earning a starting spot over Ricky Ravenhill, who he had replaced at half-time, and Rob

Kozluk taking over from Simon Ramsden at right back.

It was the first time Syers had begun a game at Valley Parade since he got sent off against Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve.

Reid immediately skied a free-kick from 25 yards out after Dagnall had been blocked off by Pablo Mills. But City failed to clear a long ball from

Kyle McFadzean and Alexander headed an early chance wide.

Dagnall latched on to Oliver's pass to fire narrowly across goal, before keeper Michel Kuipers clawed a Craig Fagan shot away from the top corner

after Syers had worked Reid's cross on to the skipper.

The game was warming up on the pitch and the touchline where antagonistic Crawley boss Evans had a few histrionics with the fourth official.

His side were certainly a danger going forward and Leon Clarke whipped an angled drive just past the far post. McLaughlin also had to watch his

feet carefully as he stretched to catch a header from Sergio Torres on his line.

Then Dagnall was harshly pulled up for handball five yards outside the City box but the fiercely-struck free-kick from Scott Davies was scrambled

clear.

There were too many stoppages to allow the game to flow and Evans seemed to spend half his time with arms outstretched protesting to the referee.

He even argued as Hope Akpan became the first name in referee Iain Williamson's book after flattening Kozluk. Reid's free-kick was nodded into

the mix by Oliver but James Hanson was ruled offside – there had been too many of them already.

Crawley threatened again as Torres skipped inside Kozluk's sliding challenge but his dinked cross was well taken by McLaughlin.

City needed to get Reid involved more. The winger did show some neat feet to find room among three white shirts but then wasted it with a weak

shot that dribbled through to Kuipers.

The Crawley keeper then gifted City a corner with a weak punch behind. Fagan kept it low in a clearly rehearsed routine as a bunch of home

players ran in but Kuipers smothered before Hanson could get close.

Crawley had the final efforts of a bitty half. David Haye lookalike left back Dean Howell smashed a 30-yard free-kick into the Kop and Davies

galloped menacingly into the corner of the box but his cross was behind any target.

For all the effort and huff and puff, there had only been one genuine scoring chance at either end when Kuipers denied Fagan.

But Crawley came back out with an extra edge and were in front nine minutes in. Davies whipped a free-kick to the far post where Clarke was left

unchallenged to nod firmly past McLaughlin.

It was a shock for City and Parkinson responded straight away with a double switch, taking off both full backs. Kozluk and Matt Fry had both had

a tough night.

On came Nahki Wells and Ravenhill as City switched once again to the 3-4-1-2 set-up that had worked so effectively chasing the game against

Gillingham three days earlier. Dagnall took up the role playing just behind the front two.

The crowd came to life as Kuipers was booked for time-wasting. The Dutchman had already been warned on several occasions before he dawdled again

over taking a free-kick.

Davies quickly followed with Crawley's third yellow for knocking down Reid, a decision which drew yet more arm-waving protests from the Crawley

dugout.

Clarke then became booking number four for a late lunge on Ravenhill, who needed treatment before he was able to carry on.

It could have got worse for City as Josh Simpson's pass was allowed to travel straight through to Torres on the edge of the penalty area but his

snapshot was fired straight at a relieved McLaughlin.

Ravenhill was still struggling from the whack on his ankle and the sub had to be subbed as Michael Flynn took over with 19 minutes left.

Flynn had not even touched the ball before City were back on level terms with a goal very similar to Crawley's. Reid hit the angled free-kick

into the box where Dagnall's header beat Kuipers and nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Reid's part in the goal was acknowledged by Parkinson and the winger exchanged high-fives with his manager during the celebrations.

Flynn needed only three minutes to pick up the first home booking – but Crawley needed only five to restore their lead.

Davies beat his City namesake for pace on the touchline and clipped a hanging cross over the goalmouth. Oliver frantically tried to reach it but

Alexander was coming in behind him to apply the decisive touch.

As City scrambled for a second equaliser, Hanson blasted a close-range shot at Mills – who had just been booked. But the home appeals for

handball against the Crawley skipper were ignored.

Reid had a shot saved at the near post and Hanson flashed a header wide. Then Davies was thwarted by a last-ditch block as City queued up in the

Crawley penalty area.

Tempers exploded after the final whistle as Davies clashed with Crawley sub Davis. The pair were pulled apart by team-mates – only for Davies to

chase after the Jamaican again.

Oliver and McLaughlin also got involved and punches were thrown as a scrum quickly formed. Stewards ran on to the pitch before order was

eventually restored, with punishment from the referee then following.

Attendance: 9,973

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From the BBC:

The Football Association is investigating the brawl after Crawley's win at Bradford which equalled the British record of players dismissed.
Bradford's Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and Jon McLaughlin were red carded, along with Crawley's Pablo Mills and substitute Claude Davis, on

Tuesday.
Crawley manager Steve Evans said: "If people have acted out of turn they need to be dealt with."
The FA will liaise with both clubs and review video evidence.
Referee Iain Williamson called the offending footballers into his dressing room and issued them with red cards for violent conduct after punches

had been thrown by players from both sides after the final whistle.
A Bradford City spokesman told the BBC: "We are still in the process of investigating the incident and gathering all the facts from the players.

We have received a disciplinary notice from the Football Association.
"We are taking the incident very seriously and if the chairman or manager believes the incident warrants fines to the players, we will issue

them."
A statement from Crawley read:  "Regarding the unfortunate events which took place at yesterday's game at Bradford City after the final whistle

was blown, Crawley Town cannot make any further comment until the club has had the opportunity to view the video footage in detail."
The FA rulebook  states that players dismissed for violent conduct receive an automatic three-match ban.
Bradford's Davies is now suspended for five-games as he had twice been dismissed earlier in the season, with each red card incurring a further

match ban.
Due to the scale of the confrontation, additional bans could be handed out to the players, and the clubs fined for failing to control their

players.
In 2002, Sheffield United were fined £10,000 by the governing body after three players were sent off following a series of fights and illegal

tackles in a match with West Bromwich Albion which was abandoned after 82 minutes when the Blades were reduced to six men due to dismissals and

injury.
Bradford and Crawley could both also issue internal fines and suspensions following their own independent investigations

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