Shocking viral footage shows mass brawl during North Wales derby, seven red cards were shown
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A feisty derby game between Rhyl 1879 and Bangor 1876 in the Ardal North West division is being investigated by the The Football Association of Wales after seven red cards were shown.
Believe it or not, the first competitive clash between Rhyl and Bangor since they were reformed after their collapse was a relatively calm affair for an hour or so.
But in the 73rd minute, Rhyl manager Gareth Thomas was sent off for apparent dissent and mayhem ensued in the final stages when a mass brawl in injury-time overshadowed what was a competitive fixture.
Footage soon emerged of the unsavoury scenes at Rhyl's Belle Vue Stadium.
Things got tasty during this game in North Wales this afternoon, wait until the end… 😳 pic.twitter.com/mFKfWlSBen
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) October 22, 2022
Things got heated when Bangor defender Shaun Lock attempted to waste time before a corner by holding onto the ball. Then, Lock was approached by three Rhyl players and it all kicked off.
In total, five red cards were shown in the final minutes of the North Wales coast derby, while the other two were handed to manager Gareth Thomas and Rhyl defender Miles Todd, who was sent off for an off-the-ball incident in the 84th minute.
According to Twitter account @BangorWalesNews, the red cards were also handed out to Alex Jones, Jack Higgins and Aaron White of Rhyl, and Tom Clarke and Corey Jones of Bangor.
The referee blew for full-time before the corner was taken.
Rhyl released a statement on Sunday regarding the game. They said: "Our community club is deeply upset and saddened at the on-field events at the end of the game against our friends from Bangor 1876.
"We would like to thank the North Wales Police for supporting the game, both sets of supporters and especially our club volunteers who give up their valuable time to make this and every home game possible.
"We apologise to everyone who experienced the incident and this matter is being dealt with internally as a matter of urgency.
"We await the referee's report, and we will be making no further comment at this time."
Looking at this footage, it all starts a good minute or so before with punches thrown and that's why the first reds were shown. @NoelMooney13 @ArdalNorthern @rhylfc @Bangor1876 @BangorWalesNews @rjournal @NWalesLiveSport @YClwbPelDroed @BBCWalesNews https://t.co/a1PHPMY4PQ pic.twitter.com/4WfqyYN7wN
— The Sun Prints Bullshit - Glazers Out (@ScottMcShagger) October 22, 2022
Rhyl manager Gareth Thomas condemned the brawl in a post on social media.
He said on the club's Facebook page: "The scenes that have followed at the end are not good enough. It is not what we are building this club up to be, it is an absolute disgrace.
"The players have to take responsibility, not only have they let the club down they have let the hard working volunteers down and that was not good enough and it is not acceptable.
"It is not something that we will be carrying on at this club."
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