The Fa Has Charged Millwall and West Ham Over Crowd Violence During Their Carling Cup Clash in April

West Ham and Millwall have been charged by the Football Association over the trouble in and around Upton Park when the London clubs met in the Carling Cup second round on 25 August.

Although the clubs have been informed, it is thought that the FA will make no public announcement regarding the specific details of the charges until Monday. It is understood that the Metropolitan Police were concerned that Millwall's visit to Leyton Orient today, which will bring their fans in close proximity to Upton Park in east London, would lead to any statement ahead of the match potentially inflaming the situation.

During the evening of the tie a 44-year-old man was stabbed and hospitalized and several other people were injured after trouble broke out at around 6pm, before the unrest continued close to and inside the Boleyn Ground. During the match, which West Ham won 3-1 in extra-time, the pitch was invaded three times, supporters threw missiles at each other and there were allegations that Carlton Cole received monkey chants from Millwall supporters as he was substituted.

The sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, described the scenes as "a disgrace to football" before backing the FA's call for life bans for those found to have been involved. Andy Williamson, the chief operating officer at the Football League under whose jurisdiction the game fell, said: "We utterly deplore the violence that took place in last night's match. Such behavior has no place within the game. We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure those behind it are held to count."

Although it is unclear whether Millwall will fight the charges against them, it is thought West Ham will mount a strong defence. The club have noted the scenes at the end of the Manchester derby last weekend, when a Manchester United fan invaded the pitch and appeared to be hit by City's Craig Bellamy, and Carlos Tevez seemed to have a missile aimed at him. The FA and the police have stated they will not be taking action against Bellamy, the fan or either Manchester club.