The FA To Investigate The Alex

The FA are to launch an investigation over the treatment of Accrington Stanley assistant-manager Jimmy Bell following yesterday's game.

Bell was pinned to the floor by five Crewe Alex stewards, who believed him to be a 'pitch invader', as he made his way across the pitch at the final whistle yesterday. The scenes prompted a pitch invasion from an incensed Accrington faithful.

It spoilt what was a good day, despite the result from Stanley's point of view. Even at 5-1 down the 186 strong Accrington contingent remained in full voice (and costume) throughout the 90 minutes.

Accrington boss John Coleman immediately made his feelings about the ordeal known, calling it 'outrageous'. Coleman immediately sent footage of the incident off to the FA last night with the match referee also confirming it would be included in his match report.

Bell meanwhile says he will be taking it up with the police once the FA have completed their investigation, and told the Lancashire Telegraph that he was 'publicly humiliated' as his family watched on from the stands.

"I had my friends and family at the game, my two sons were in the crowd and had to witness this absolutely disgraceful, totally unprovoked incident.

"I was publicly humiliated.

'I was confronted by a steward who said I couldn`t go over. I told him that I was and he started shouting for assistance. The next thing I knew five men were jumping on me and I was manhandled to the floor.

'All I wanted to do was applaud the fans who were absolutely magnificent in their fancy dress and doing the conga.

"Instead I had Fred Flintstone, Batman and Robin jumping out of the crowd to help me.'

And there is no defence for what happened yesterday, the club will deserve any punishment forthcoming unfortunately. Hopefully it will teach the stewards of Gresty Road to not be so rash when they don a yellow jacket, though I doubt it.

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