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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cardiff Devils face inquiry over brawl claim | Cardiff Devils face inquiry over brawl claim |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Police were called to a brawl involving players and a spectator at the end of a Cardiff Devils ice hockey match. | Police were called to a brawl involving players and a spectator at the end of a Cardiff Devils ice hockey match. |
| The club has banned the fan and said it will co-operate fully with an Elite League inquiry into events at Sunday's match with Coventry Blaze. | |
| South Wales Police said they were called by a fan who complained about being assaulted by a player. | South Wales Police said they were called by a fan who complained about being assaulted by a player. |
| But police discovered the fan had "instigated the altercation" and he was given advice about his behaviour. | But police discovered the fan had "instigated the altercation" and he was given advice about his behaviour. |
| The Devils have condemned the incident, while Blaze have declined to comment. | The Devils have condemned the incident, while Blaze have declined to comment. |
| The club said the supporter, who has been banned for the rest of season, has apologised and expressed remorse. | |
| During the Challenge Cup match, Devils' forward Max Birbraer was sent off after reacting to an elbow in the face. | |
| Two players also fought after the final hooter, sparking scuffles between both sides, and involving the Devils' supporter. | Two players also fought after the final hooter, sparking scuffles between both sides, and involving the Devils' supporter. |
| The incident was captured on video, which has been posted on YouTube. | The incident was captured on video, which has been posted on YouTube. |
| South Wales Police confirmed they were called to the Cardiff Devils game by a spectator who complained about being assaulted by a player. | South Wales Police confirmed they were called to the Cardiff Devils game by a spectator who complained about being assaulted by a player. |
| The force spokeswoman said further questioning by officers revealed the complainant had instigated the altercation and he was given advice about his behaviour. | The force spokeswoman said further questioning by officers revealed the complainant had instigated the altercation and he was given advice about his behaviour. |
| Neither the player concerned nor the club wanted to take the matter further so the incident has been closed, she added. | Neither the player concerned nor the club wanted to take the matter further so the incident has been closed, she added. |
| The Devils issued a statement on their website, condemning the "alleged inappropriate actions" at the Planet Ice arena in Cardiff Bay. | The Devils issued a statement on their website, condemning the "alleged inappropriate actions" at the Planet Ice arena in Cardiff Bay. |
| "The club is working with the police, security officials and Planet Ice to investigate the incident and determine what further action will be taken," said the statement. | "The club is working with the police, security officials and Planet Ice to investigate the incident and determine what further action will be taken," said the statement. |
| It said it would fully co-operate with police and ice hockey authorities to "identify the most appropriate course of action". | It said it would fully co-operate with police and ice hockey authorities to "identify the most appropriate course of action". |
| The statement added: "The club is fully committed to ensuring all participants and spectators continue to enjoy Cardiff Devils ice hockey games in a safe and family-friendly environment." | The statement added: "The club is fully committed to ensuring all participants and spectators continue to enjoy Cardiff Devils ice hockey games in a safe and family-friendly environment." |
| Cardiff Devils chief executive Paul Ragan said: "We pride ourselves on providing a very safe and family-focussed environment. | |
| "Bad language and inappropriate behaviour, which compromises the safety of visitors, officials and players, will not be tolerated. | |
| "While ice hockey is an extremely physical and adrenalin-packed sport, isolated incidents such as this are extremely rare and should not overshadow what is one of the most family friendly sporting experiences available." | |
| The incident is also being investigated by the sport's governing body. | |
| The Elite League's disciplinary committee says that may not yet be the end of the matter and it would be reviewing CCTV footage and reports from league officials and rink-side staff. | The Elite League's disciplinary committee says that may not yet be the end of the matter and it would be reviewing CCTV footage and reports from league officials and rink-side staff. |
| "A number of incidents occurred after the final hooter and the committee will now study these and make a ruling on all of the match penalties and incidents. They will present their findings within the next 48 hours. | "A number of incidents occurred after the final hooter and the committee will now study these and make a ruling on all of the match penalties and incidents. They will present their findings within the next 48 hours. |
| "The committee would like to stress that clubs cannot appeal any match penalties handed out on the night, but the committee have the power to increase or overturn these penalties." | "The committee would like to stress that clubs cannot appeal any match penalties handed out on the night, but the committee have the power to increase or overturn these penalties." |