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Leeds United: No capital punishment
Millwall have escaped disciplinary action over the pitch invasion which marred the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final against Leeds United.
The London club will face no charges relating to the crowd problems witnessed at the New Den on May 9, the Football Association confirmed today.
England's governing body has been working to assist the enquiries of the Metropolitan Police into last month's tie, but the FA does not plan to punish Millwall for failing to control their supporters, two of whom confronted Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren on the field of play.
The invasion at the New Den occurred 19 minutes from the end of the semi-final first leg following the goal from striker Neil Harris which gave Millwall a 1-0 lead.
Numerous home fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate Harris' strike and two were allowed to approach Ankergren, who claimed to have been pushed in the back during the melee.
Two supporters were arrested and charged by police in relation to the incident, but the FA has drawn a line under the matter after seeing the Lions move quickly to assist the authorities.
An FA spokesperson told the YEP: "The FA has noted that two people were apprehended by stewards and arrested and charged by police. No further action from the FA is to be taken."
The invasion was one of few moments of controversy during a semi-final tie which brought together two fierce rivals but passed off with limited trouble.
Both Leeds manager Simon Grayson and Millwall boss Kenny Jackett played down the incident involving Ankergren, though the keeper expressed anger at the failure of stewards inside the ground to adequately protect him.
Speaking after the end of the first leg, Ankergren said: "It's very bad for football and Millwall should be punished.
"Anything could have happened, luckily it didn't and hopefully I won't experience that again. It's a disgrace to football."
Millwall apologised to Ankergren and imposed immediate bans on the fans involved in the clash with the Dane, but the club defended themselves strongly against criticism in the wake of the pitch invasion, accusing the media of "irresponsible journalism" in their reporting of the match.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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