OK, what genius came up with the clappers idea?
Polive have criticised Birmingham City’s decision to hand out clappers to supporters ahead of Sunday’s derby meeting with Aston Villa.
Clappers were placed on fans’ seats ahead of kick-off but almost all of them ended up on the pitch in a fiery game which ended 0-0.
15 minutes into the game, Robert Snodgrass was pelted with missiles as he attempted to take a corner kick and a similar fate befell Conor Hourihane when he took over corner-taking duties.
But the most shameful example of clappers raining down on the playing surface came when Glenn Whelan was down injured with a cut and receiving medical attention.
The Villa midfielder was split open after an accidental elbow but got no sympathy from the home supporters, who hurled whatever they had in their hands at the felled Irishman.
Away from the pitch, police were required to intervene in crowd trouble in the stands and the below pictures tell the story of the game pretty accurately.
Who knew that clappers, which Birmingham likely hoped to have been used to generate a terrific atmosphere at St Andrew’s, would have caused so many issues?
Well Aston Villa West Midlands Police, who take care of Villa supporters on game days, have claimed that they were not informed of the decision and would have shot it down had they been forewarned.
“No we didn’t and had we known we would have advised against it. Awful and naive idea,”Aston Villa WMP said.
And fans have also slammed the lack of foresight from the higher-ups at Birmingham.
Whoever decided it was a good idea to give clappers to Birmingham fans doesn’t understand football, the fans or the history of the Derby…
— Nigel Adderley (@nadderley) October 29, 2017
The clappers led to coins being thrown and the consequences then could have been much worse, idiotic idea https://t.co/UtuxUicZXU
— Liam Mucklow (@imucklow90) October 29, 2017
Having the clappers was such a stupid idea 😂🙄
— Eamon (@EamonWootton) October 29, 2017
Whoever had the bright idea of the introduction of clappers at the #secondcityderby should really look at themselves! Was utterly madness!
— Alex Arksen (@ArksenAlex) October 29, 2017
Good game. Having clappers worst idea since hiring Zola. #bcfc
— Matthew Walker (@matthewwalker28) October 29, 2017
Who's stupid idea was it to give the Birmingham fans clappers for a derby?? Need sacking the idiot
— Sam L (@SamL_94) October 29, 2017
Would love to see the bollocking on Monday morning to whoever thought those clappers were a good idea
— Crottster. (@GeeCeeWBA) October 29, 2017
