Rio Ferdinand wounded; hit by coin from crowd during Manchester derby

Manchester City issued an apology to Ferdinand; Gordon Taylor to consider protective nettings.

15:07 11 December 2012

United defender Rio Ferdinand was injured during Premier League’s Manchester Derby after getting hit by a coin thrown from the crowd.  Police are thought to have arrested 13 people and charged 9 because of the incident.

In a volatile end to the match, where Robin Van Persie sealed the 3-2 win for United, crowd disorder resulted in Ferdinand bleeding from a cut above his left eye.

Manchester City was quick to apologize for the incident. In a statement, they said: “Manchester City wishes to offer its sincere apologies to Rio Ferdinand. The club unreservedly condemns the actions which led to his being injured.”

Because of the incident, Professional Footballers’ Association boss Gordon Taylor now reportedly believes that crowd control netting is to be considered to protect the players on the field.

However, fans’ groups think that crowd control netting isn’t necessary at this point.

 

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF), said: “Netting is not something we feel is necessary to have.

 

“No one condones the throwing of missiles, but arrests last season were 24% down on previous seasons and not many social phenomenon alter that much.”