Bradford City are set to come under investigation from the Football Association following crowd disturbances that marred their League Two match at Doncaster Rovers.
FA Expected to Take Action
The game was halted for around four minutes after a number of City supporters spilt into an empty section separating the away end from home fans, shortly after Tyreik Wright’s penalty was saved. Referee Ross Joyce stopped play while police and stewards worked to restore order.
The FA are expected to view the incident seriously, with possible sanctions including a fine looming for the Bantams. It is understood that the club had previously been warned about crowd behaviour following disruption during an away fixture at Crewe Alexandra in May 2023, when flares thrown onto the pitch led to a delay and a loss of momentum in a crucial match.
This latest flashpoint casts an unwanted shadow ahead of Bradford’s promotion decider against Fleetwood Town at the University of Bradford Stadium on Saturday. Tickets for the fixture sold out quickly, and another bumper crowd in excess of 20,000 is expected as City bid to seal a return to League One.
Alex Pattison Focused
Despite the incident, midfielder Alex Pattison remained focused on the task ahead. The City captain, who led the side for a third successive game, spoke of his disappointment following the defeat to Doncaster but called on the fans to maintain their support.
“I am absolutely devastated after that one. We came here wanting the win and it is just disappointing we could not do it. It is a tough watch seeing them [Doncaster] and their fans celebrating after being promoted. Seeing the celebrations just motivates me more for next Saturday.”
Over 1,500 travelling fans backed City at the Eco-Power Stadium, and Pattison made a point of recognising their efforts. He urged supporters to continue their vocal backing into the final match of the season, highlighting the important role they have played throughout the campaign.
Writer’s View
The timing of the crowd trouble could not have been worse for Bradford City as they head into their biggest game of the season. While the players remain laser-focused on securing promotion, off-field distractions could yet have consequences. The unity between the squad and supporters has been a major strength this season – maintaining that connection positively will be crucial in the final 90 minutes.
