George Overhill

Sun 28 January 2024 14:35, UK

Kyle Bartley had to lead his family to safety away from crowd clashes at the FA Cup tie between West Brom and Wolves at The Hawthorns, according to Lewis Cox.

The Express & Star journalist reported from the ground as the game was halted after the visitors went 2-0 up as ugly scenes developed in the crowd.

Amid the “chaos”, which saw large numbers of police sent in to try to regain control the Baggies defender had to bring his family out of the stands as the trouble centred on the corner where player’s families sit.

Cox wrote: “This has descended into chaos, unfortunately. Bartley has had to lead his family away from the corner. Awful.”

Bartley did not re-emerge with the rest of his teammates as the game eventually restarted, as Carlos Corberan made a triple-substitution.

Wrong

It goes without saying that nobody in attendance at The Hawthorns should be at risk when they are trying to watch a football match.

But those on the pitch who are supposed to perform at their best will clearly not be able to if their loved ones are the ones in danger.

Whether Bartley would have been withdrawn following the delay of more than half an hour regardless only Corberan will know.

But it is no surprise that the game restarted without the 32-year-old, as his priority is going to be his family above all.

Goals from Neto and Matheus Cunha had left West Brom facing exit from the FA Cup and a first defeat in this fixture since 2011 at Molineux, which couldn’t be dressed up as a positive in anyway.

But the result ends up paling insignificance for those involved if there is a threat to people’s safety, and it is surprising in many ways that the game ended up being finished at all.

In other West Brom news, Steve Madeley has shared a “critical” takeover timeline update.

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