‘EFL to contact Luton Town’ after footage of incident vs Reading: ‘Police could be involved’
The EFL are likely to make contact with Luton Town amid a potential police investigation into an incident from their 3-2 defeat to Reading on Thursday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Hatters are likely to be asked to provide their observations to the Football League.
Jack Wilshere has slowly begun to turn Luton’s season around, but their defeat in Berkshire was a frustrating setback for them in their bid to secure an immediate return to the Championship.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan netted a 78th-minute winner to secure the points for Reading, but it is matters after the full-time whistle that have dominated discussions in the aftermath of the game.
EFL and police to investigate full-time incident involving Luton fans
Sky Sports cameras caught an altercation in the Luton end after the full-time whistle, as tempers flared following the away defeat for the Hatters.
Teden Mengi and Cohen Bramall both made their way over for conversations with the travelling supporters, and Sky Sports footage that was shared on X showed a confrontation between two fans at the front of the stand.
One supporter was remonstrating with Bramall when he was punched in the back by a fellow fan, who had seemingly taken issue with the message that he was trying to deliver to the player.
The footage has since gone viral on social media, and Hackett feels that it will spark involvement from both the EFL and potentially even the police.
“Sadly, another incident that creates the wrong image of our great game,” the former referee told Football Insider.
“The first line of action will be to determine if any police involvement and if any action by them is to be taken. This would place on hold any action by the Football Authorities until the police have concluded their investigation.
“The league are likely to ask the club for their observations on this incident. It’s a pity that a conversation with players appears to have been the catalyst for the problem.”
Jack Wilshere’s side left in perilous position by Reading defeat
Wilshere has shown promise at Luton in the early stages of his reign, but the defeat to Reading undoubtedly represents a major setback.
His men are hovering just outside the play-off places in League One, but their latest reverse has opened the door for several teams below them to potentially seize their opportunity.
Luton are now just four points ahead of Reading, who are sitting in 14th, and there are four teams who could potentially leapfrog the Hatters with a victory this weekend.
Throw in the fact that almost every team that immediately surround Luton at the moment have multiple games in hand on them, and the play-off picture could soon look very different for Wilshere and Co.