09 May 2023 , 09:55
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Millwall fans responded to the team collapsing in sight of the Championship play-offs on Monday by attacking a Blackburn Rovers supporters bus.
One coach had a window smashed as petrified away fans were trapped inside, with one travel company later publicly branding the perpetrators "s***houses" and saying they had risked causing injury to innocent families. The incident compounded what had already been a disastrous day for the London club, who are now again under scrutiny for the conduct of their fans.
Millwall started the day knowing a win would have been enough to secure sixth place for Gary Rowett's side, leaving them three games from a first ever tilt at the Premier League. And they were well on track at half time, with goals from Duncan Watmore (2) and Oliver Burke easing them into a 3-1 lead.
But then things unravelled as Blackburn, who had struck in the first half through Adam Wharton, stormed back. Joe Rankin-Costello and Ben Brereton Diaz levelled matters within 18 minutes of the restart, with the latter then getting a dramatic winner late on.
The result meant Blackburn actually leapfrogged Millwall in the table, but it was Sunderland who took the final play-off spot courtesy of their 2-0 win at Preston. And Blackburn fans at The Den mocked the hosts for their collapse by serenading them with "I'm forever blowing bubbles," the famous chant of their rivals West Ham.
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Fans were trapped on the bus when the attack happened (@lofty316 /Twitter)
The incident took place after Blackburn had beaten Millwall 4-3 (@FBAwayDays/Twitter)Regardless, fans of the Lions were slammed for their angry reaction. Lancashire bus company Red Rose Travel later posted on social media: "You gotta love a good game of football and the passion the fans show.
"I mean, take Millwall FC tonight, probably lost millions tonight by not making it into the playoffs and the Premier League, but it doesn't matter, they can trash the away fans coaches and risk injury to the families on board. Well done you guys. You've achieved jack s*** apart from costing an innocent business ££££'s. For what.... f# all!!!!! Bunch of s***houses...."
Scott Malone of Millwall sits dejected after missing out on the play-offs (Offside via Getty Images)Others also hit out on Facebook, with coach driver David Painter adding: "In almost 20 years of doing away day coaches I’ve never witnessed anything like this," while Keigh Ley added: "The poor children on the coach having to get on the floor, traumatised and scared to death. Disgusting behaviour!"
And Christian Pratt, also at the game, said it was not an isolated incident: "I was on a coach two vehicles behind yours escorting school children aged 11-16," she wrote. "We were subjected to spitting on our coach and foul language. It’s absolutely disgraceful to target coaches without knowing who’s on board and for those on board to have to witness it."