A WEEK of turmoil for West Bromwich Albion ended in unhappy fashion when two of their players became embroiled in an unsavoury incident with Ipswich Town stewards.

An altercation occurred just after Albion had completed their post-match warm-down and appeared to have been triggered by the two players angrily arguing with each other. Stewards attempted to intervene, resulting in one sustaining minor injuries and the police being called in.

While Albion manager Brian Little remained silent when he left the ground, John Wile, the club's chief executive, finally emerged to read an official statement to the press.

He said: "I would like to confirm that there has been an incident involving West Bromwich Albion players and Ipswich stewards. The police were called in but no action will be taken.

"West Bromwich Albion will be taking the necessary internal disciplinary measures. We have apologised sincerely to the stewards and to Ipswich Town Football Club."

When asked whether he would name the players involved, Wile's response was an unequivocal "no".

Talking to the press about such an incident was doubtless the last thing Wile wanted to do on Saturday evening after a hectic few days for the club which has seen Kevin Kilbane sold to Sunderland for £2.5 million and chairman Tony Hale resign.

Matters are not likely to get any easier for Wile this week. Not only has he to deal with the duo who caused the aggravation at Portman Road but he also faces potentially awkward talks with Little. The Albion manager has made it clear he was unhappy at being excluded from the negotiations last week that ended in the sale of Kilbane.

Neither Little's nor Wile's spirits were raised much by the events that unfolded during the match at Ipswich, either. Albion were poor from the outset and fell behind to David Johnson's 14th goal of the season after only six minutes. He had his initial shot blocked by goalkeeper Alan Miller but bundled the rebound into the net.

Ipswich deservedly doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Miller failed to cleanly punch John McGreal's right-wing cross. James Scowcroft reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area to stroke the loose ball home from 10 yards.

Then Albion's Icelandic international defender Larus Sigurdsson was sent off after pushing Johnson when play had already been stopped by referee David Crick for a foul. Little's side were reduced to nine men in the 51st minute when Matt Carbon received a red card for a professional foul on Richard Naylor.

Ipswich made it 3-0 when debutant Neil Midgley sent a firm header into the net.

Substitute Fabian De Freitas grabbed a consolation goal with a left-foot shot.

Daily Telegraph