Brentford support police investigation after rugby ball kicked towards pitch

Brentford are assisting a police investigation after a rugby ball was kicked from a nearby building towards the pitch during Saturday's Premier League match against Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium. In a statement published on Monday, the club confirmed that it had referred the incident to police and was helping authorities identify those responsible.

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BBC Sport reported that footage circulating on social media showed a man on a rooftop near the ground kicking the ball towards the playing area, with others laughing and cheering. A separate clip filmed inside the stadium showed a member of staff carrying the rugby ball away from the pitch while the football match continued.

The Independent reported that the ball struck the roof of the East Stand before bouncing towards the pitch area. Its account placed the launch point at a neighbouring high-rise residential property. The Gtech has been Brentford's home since August 2020 and is surrounded by residential blocks and commercial buildings developed as part of the surrounding district.

Brentford's own statement referred to an item kicked from a height, describing the conduct as "dangerous and potentially very harmful". The club said it would support efforts to establish responsibility and take appropriate action, which could include criminal prosecution. That was presented as a possible outcome of the investigation, not an announcement that anyone had been charged.

The club emphasised the safety of supporters, employees, players and match officials in explaining its response. Its statement did not name the people involved or announce the outcome of the police inquiry. The confirmed development is the referral to police and Brentford's cooperation with the authorities as they seek to identify who was responsible for the incident.

On the field, Liverpool won 2-1 after coming from behind, with Alexander Isak scoring the late winner, according to The Independent. Brentford finished with nine players after Yehor Yarmolyuk and Vitaly Janelt were sent off. Liverpool moved above Brentford into fifth place in the Premier League, leaving the home side sixth following the defeat.