Fourteen arrests after crowd trouble before Birmingham v West Ham

Birmingham City could face action from the Football Association after crowd disturbances outside their ground prior to last night's Carling Cup semi final against West Ham led to a number of arrests. West Midlands police confirmed that they arrested 14 people "for a variety of offences" and warned that those found guilty face a lifetime ban from their club. Riot police were deployed inside the stadium to ensure that violence did not break out during the game after fighting had already taken place beforehand in the streets outside. Birmingham are already under investigation from the FA following a pitch invasion at the end of their Carling Cup quarter-final victory over Aston Villa in January, and the news of trouble last night will again bring unwanted attention on the club after a momentous night on the pitch.