Barnet FC have vowed to take firm action against any fan found to have thrown coins at an assistant in Saturday's match against Burton Albion.

Two coins were thrown at the referee's assistant in front of the east terrace when he failed to spot a handball moments before Burton scored their second goal. It is believed the same official may also have been verbally threatened.

Referee Keith Stroud confirmed to club officials he was concerned about his colleague's safety and would be reporting the incident to the FA.

Barnet's PR consultant Dennis Signy said: "The aim is for Underhill to be a good, safe place where you can bring youngsters to watch a game in a trouble-free atmosphere.

"If, or when, the club can identify a culprit firm action will be taken. Whatever provocation, no-one at Barnet will condone coin throwing or threatening language. We don't need incidents like this giving ammunition to opponents of the club."

The coin throwing incident may also have financial repurcussions for Barnet after James Roth, of club sponsors JBL, said on the Barnet web site that his company may consider its position if the culprit was not identified.

Meanwhile, Steve Percy, chairman of the club's Supporters' Association, was ejected from Dagenham & Redbridge's ground on Tuesday evening for what a policeman described as foul and abusive language'.

Protesting his innocence, Mr Percy said: "In my view 'Oi ref it's a corner' does not constitute foul and abusive language. It was all totally unnecessary and I want to take it further. I even had a steward who said he would sign an affidavit to say I hadn't committed any offence. I will be writing to Dagenham to ask them not to use that policeman again."

January 29, 2003 17:30