Two charged after Cardiff playoff violence

Two men were charged today in connection with violence that erupted after Cardiff's playoff match with Stoke last night.

Two men were charged today in connection with violence that erupted after Cardiff's playoff match with Stoke last night.

A 21-year-old man from Canton, Cardiff, was accused of a public order offence and a 35-year-old man from Abertillery, south Wales, was accused of throwing missiles.

Riot police charged at a group of around 600 Cardiff supporters who were attempting to reach Stoke fans on their exit from the Ninian Park ground following the match in the Welsh capital last night.

The two men, who have been bailed to appear at Cardiff Magistrates on May 7th, were among five men who were arrested after the trouble.

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Three injured police officers who suffered concussion, a leg injury and a facial injury have left hospital, South Wales Police said.

Cardiff's hopes of promotion to the English First Division were shattered when they lost 2-0 to Stoke in the second leg of the Second Division play-off semi-final, going out 3-2 on aggregate.

Around 19,000 fans watched the match at the Bluebirds' ground, but a crowd of about 600 Cardiff fans gathered outside Ninian Park afterwards.

Police officers brought in to see Stoke fans on to their coaches were attacked with missiles and a number of other officers sustained minor injuries in the attack, South Wales Police said.

The Stoke fans were locked inside Ninian Park for more than half an hour as police attempted to disperse home supporters congregating between the ground and the visitors' coaches.

Cardiff are highly unlikely to face new disciplinary action from the Football Association of Wales, however.

The Welsh club are already due at an FAW hearing on May 16th after the shocking scenes inside Ninian Park during their infamous FA Cup win over Leeds United in January.

But FAW official Mark Evans said: "I would be surprised if we took any action. The trouble was outside the ground and outside Cardiff City's control.

"The Leeds game was different because there were problems inside the stadium."

PA