A shocking incident occurred during the FA Cup match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Hawthorns on Sunday, leading to the temporary suspension of the game. Disorder among the fans erupted after Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Mateus Cunha scored, giving his team a 2-0 lead.

As violence broke out in the stands, the referee had no choice but to halt the match. Police quickly intervened in an attempt to restore order, causing further delay. A message displayed on the screens inside the stadium emphasized that entering the field of play is a criminal offense.

In the midst of the chaos, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Craig Dawson tried to calm down the supporters. Eventually, both teams, including players and staff, left the field and sought refuge in the tunnel as the police worked to deflate the tension among the crowd. West Brom defender Kyle Bartley was seen ensuring the safety of his family in the stands before leaving the field.

After a 38-minute pause, the game resumed with the clock being reset to the time of Cunha's goal, 77 minutes and 10 seconds. As play recommenced, Bartley was substituted by Erik Pieters. Pedro Neto had already scored in the first half, contributing to Wolverhampton Wanderers' eventual victory that secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Both team managers expressed disappointment at the incident. West Brom manager Carlos Corberan told ITV, "Of course we are disappointed with any type of incident like that... incidents like that we need to avoid." Wolves manager Gary O'Neil shared the sentiment, stating, "How people behave at football is really important... I really hope everyone's OK; I'm not really sure what stoked it. We got the fixture played without any more trouble happening."

The match held great significance, as it was a clash between local rivals. West Brom and Wolverhampton Wanderers, situated just 11 miles apart in England's west Midlands, have a fierce rivalry known as the Black Country derby.

In response to the violence, West Brom released a statement strongly condemning the incident and promising to work with local police and the English Football Association (FA) for a thorough investigation. The FA, in its own statement, called the incident "completely unacceptable" and pledged to investigate alongside the clubs and relevant authorities, ensuring appropriate action is taken.

The pitch invasion and subsequent suspension of the match resulted in the postponement of the draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup. Originally scheduled before Liverpool's game against Norwich City at Anfield, the draw was rescheduled to halftime of that match due to the delay.

The disturbing scenes witnessed during the West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FA Cup match serve as a stark reminder of the need for fan behavior to remain respectful and safe. The authorities and clubs involved will undoubtedly take the necessary steps to address the incident and prevent its recurrence in the future.