London: Millwall fans fought among themselves at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, overshadowing Wigan's 2-0 victory that advanced the club to the first FA Cup final in their 81-year history. Police and security officers appeared slow to react as disorder built throughout the second half. Groups of Millwall supporters brawled with each other and security personnel.
Ten people were arrested following "sporadic disorder" among Millwall fans, police said. The investigation was ongoing. Wigan will return to Wembley for the final to face Manchester City or Chelsea, which meet Sunday. In pictures broadcast around the world, one female Wigan fan was in tears as Millwall supporters traded punches, reviving memories of the 1970s, when the London club struggled with hooliganism.
"We are continuing to progress as a club, that's out greatest challenge," said Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, who did not see any of the fighting. "We've worked very hard to do everything we possibly can to try to be trouble-free ... if crowd trouble is going to be continuously brought up with Millwall that will hold us back."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said the violence "leaves a bad taste for the huge majority they had here, with their impeccable behavior." Wigan chairman Dave Whelan feared the image of English soccer has been damaged.
"I can't understand why the Millwall fans would fight each other," he said. "I understand if they want to fall out with the visiting team, but why would they fall out amongst themselves? It just gives football a very, very poor reputation."
On the field, Shaun Maloney put Wigan in front in the 25th minute with a crisp finish for the Premier League team. Callum McManaman scored from a tight angle in the 78th minute against second-tier Millwall. In the Premier League, Arsenal moved into third place by rallying late for a 3-1 win at home against Norwich.
Michael Turner put Norwich in front in the 56th minute, but Mikel Arteta converted a penalty kick in the 85th after Kei Kamara, on loan from Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City, was called for pulling Olivier Giroud's shirt. Giroud put the Gunners ahead in the 88th and Lukas Podolski added a goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
Arsenal have 59 points, one more than Chelsea and Tottenham. Sixth-place Everton and American goalkeeper Tim Howard defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-0 on goals by Darron Gibson in the 40th and Victor Anichebe in the 56th and moved within three ponts of Spurs. QPR are 19th, seven points from safety with five games left. Last-place Reading tied visiting Liverpool 0-0 and trails QPR on goal difference.
Aston Villa moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw at home against Fulham. Charles N'Zogbia put Villa in front in the 55th, but Fabian Delph flicked a header into his own goal past American goalkeeper Brad Guzan 11 minutes later.
Andy Carroll's 66th-minute goal gave West Ham a 1-1 tie at Southampton, which had gone ahead when Gaston Ramirez scored in the 59th. In the second-tier League Championship, Stuart Holden played until the 73rd minute in Sheffield Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Leeds, the longest outing for the American midfielder since he returned in January from knee surgery.
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