Championship chaos as Bristol City vs Millwall ends in massive brawl | Football | Sport
Tempers flared at Ashton Gate on Saturday as Bristol City and Millwall players and staff clashed after full-time of their Championship match. The Robins were left frustrated after failing to penetrate the visitors’ defence, with Millwall taking home all three points. A second-half goal from Mihailo Ivanovic put Millwall in the lead, a position they managed to maintain until the end.
Despite three penalty appeals and a disallowed goal, Bristol City couldn’t find a way back into the game, leaving them empty-handed. The tension reached boiling point at the final whistle, with Bristol City captain Jason Knight seemingly pushing Millwall manager Alex Neil on the sidelines. This ignited a brawl involving both players and staff, with Millwall assistant David Livermore appearing to be knocked to the ground amidst the chaos.
These dramatic scenes marked a chaotic end to the match, adding yet another layer of drama to the Championship. The defeat leaves Bristol City in seventh place, just one point shy of the play-offs, but with an increasing gap to the top three, including Millwall.
Millwall’s victory solidifies their third-place standing, only two points behind second-place Middlesbrough, keeping their hopes for automatic promotion alive. A mere nine points separates third from 16th place in the division.
Once order was restored at Ashton Gate, both managers offered their accounts of the flashpoint. Neil was first to address the media, suggesting that a rejected handshake had ignited the confrontation.
He explained: “I went to shake his [Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber’s] hand at the end of the game and he sort of pulled his hand away. We certainly weren’t instigators in that.”
Gerhard Struber appeared visibly agitated following the final whistle, with footage capturing an animated discussion with match officials. The Bristol City manager had legitimate grievances over several contentious decisions, including multiple penalty appeals and a disallowed goal for offside.
Struber stood firm in his version of events, responding: “It’s a big joke. I will say this crystal clear. I showed him my hand twice and he was not ready to shake hands.”
Bristol City face a quick turnaround, with Leicester City visiting on Wednesday evening. The Robins remain at home, welcoming the Foxes who arrive buoyed by an impressive 3-1 triumph over Derby County in an East Midlands derby.
Meanwhile, Millwall’s push for automatic promotion takes them to Pride Park for a meeting with the Rams, as they hunt further points. The Lions boast an excellent recent record against Derby, remaining unbeaten since 2020 and securing both a victory and draw against them during last season’s Championship campaign.
