By Paul Jones
Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has pointed the finger at Ryan Lowe for starting the mass brawl that erupted between players, coaches and staff of Swansea City and Preston on Wednesday night.
At least 30 people were involved in the mayhem near full-time as punches were thrown amid the pushing and shoving in a match the Swans ended winning, 4-2.
Players and officials from both clubs joined in and soon referee Oliver Langford had lost complete control.
Both clubs seem certain to face charges from the Football Association.
Swansea’s former Wales midfielder Joe Allen – who had been substituted – was shown a straight red card along with Preston boss Lowe before the match re-started after a five-minute delay.
In-form Piroe scored his second goal of the night when the action resumed to dent Preston’s play-off hopes and make it 16 points gathered from a possible 18 for Martin’s men.
Lowe and Preston refused to attend the scheduled post-match press conference but Martin suggested the trouble was sparked by the Preston manager.
Preston North End brawl 'not pretty for anyone', says Swansea City boss Russell Martin – https://t.co/PQDFOetXff{
The brawl involved players – some of whom had played no part in the game – from both sides as well as numerous members of staffRussell Martin said the mass brawl … pic.twitter.com/MNBCks4Pf9— Eric Thompson (@isearch247) April 19, 2023
The incidents started when Lowe appeared to push Allen in the chest near the Preston technical area.
Martin said: “I’ve watched it back. I don’t think it’s pretty for anyone.
“Our job as a group of staff is to get players away from it. The situation could have been avoided, twice probably. It is what it is.
“When people are so passionate and care about what they’re doing, sometimes it boils over. I don’t judge anyone for that, but it is a disappointing thing to happen.
“The game probably should have been stopped, Jay Fulton takes a head injury. It can be avoided.
“Ryan pushes Joe and all chaos ensues. The game should be stopped, but it isn’t. Ryan pushes Joe and after that it’s carnage. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t think any of it happens.
“I am not sure he (Lowe) will come in for a drink. I think he has done a great job there, as he did at Plymouth, so I am not going to judge him on that action because it’s a pressured environment.
“It’s so different, it’s so difficult – it is what it is.”
Former Liverpool star sent off for sparking 30-man mass brawl in Championship thriller : Players and staff from both teams got involved in a brawl towards the end of the Championship clash between Swansea City and Preston North End at the Liberty St.. pic.twitter.com/532o2BhrRH
— myaccaclub (@myaccaclub) April 20, 2023
When the game finally restarted, Piroe scored his second of the night and 19th of the season to harm Preston’s play-off hopes and keep the Swans on the fringes of the chase.
Having lost at Millwall in their previous game – abruptly ending a run of three successive victories – Preston needed a solid start to steady the ship.
nstead, they conceded after little more than a minute as Piroe struck.
Preston gave the ball away in midfield and were slack in their marking when Joe Allen delivered from the right. Piroe had time to control and hit a measured low drive into the far corner from 12 yards.
It was the Dutchman’s fourth goal in as many games and a harsh welcome back to his former club for Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
North End enjoyed their share of possession, but were unable to fashion any strikes on goal until the 17th minute when Thomas Cannon fired wide from the edge of the box.
The visitors continued to press and Alvaro Fernandez linked with Daniel Johnson before Fernandez cut inside to unleash a shot that was deflected for a corner.
But as Preston committed players to attack, the more vulnerable they appeared to Swansea’s slick and pacey counters.
Watch moment huge 30-man brawl erupts in crazy Swansea vs Preston clash as subbed ex-Liverpool star is SENT OFF | Football News | Thu | 20 Apr | 9:21 | BST https://t.co/R6RwYyAIMX
— Interos (@Interos5) April 20, 2023
From one, Allen set up Piroe on the edge of the box, whose shot was tipped away by Woodman.
Moments later Piroe’s half-volley again tested Woodman’s reactions.
The gaps kept appearing down Preston’s right and they fell 2-0 behind in the 25th minute.
Ryan Manning surged into the visitors’ box and squared the ball to Piroe, whose pass to Allen enabled the former Wales midfielder to turn inside Andrew Hughes and curl the ball inside the far post.
It was Allen’s first goal for the club since he returned from Stoke for a second spell last summer.
Preston’s heads appeared to drop and they conceded a soft third goal just before half-time.
So satisfying that we killed that game off last night, in that tougher period it may have gone 3-3 and we all leave frustrated. Joël Piroe with composure on and off the field. Didn’t get involved in the scuffle, kept his cool throughout and took his chance when play resumed. pic.twitter.com/elDrCi7yE3
— The Swan (@TheSwanPortal) April 20, 2023
Manning whipped in a free-kick from the right and there was no-one within five yards of Harry Darling as the centre-back nodded home from the edge of the six-yard box.
But they responded at the start of the second half when Swansea went to sleep defending a free-kick and Cannon drove the ball into the roof of the net.
Cannon was then shown a yellow card for diving when he went down in the box as Langford waved away claims for a penalty.
With 19 minutes to go, substitute Troy Parrott gave Preston hope when he got in behind Swansea’s defence and finished emphatically shortly after coming on.
But after the late melee, Piroe had the final say to leave Preston two points off the play-off places with three games to play.
