Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion have put supporters on notice that disorder at Sunday's Championship derby will be met with arrests, prosecution and long-term bans, as the clubs prepare for their first league fixture against each other in five years.

The backdrop: why the warning has been issued

The joint statement, published on Thursday ahead of a 12:00 BST kick-off at Molineux, comes directly in response to the scenes that marred an FA Cup tie between the clubs in January 2024. Play at The Hawthorns was halted for 38 minutes after police were assaulted, missiles were thrown and flares were set off in the stands. The aftermath was significant: 43 people were arrested, 12 were charged and sentenced, and five supporters received permanent club bans.

That cup match was itself the first occasion the two clubs had met in front of supporters since 2012, making Sunday's Championship encounter only the second time in over a decade that fans from both sides of the Black Country have shared a stadium. The history here matters; so does the fact that the authorities clearly feel the lessons of 2024 have not been absorbed by everyone.

What the clubs are putting in place

Wolves and Albion say supporters can expect enhanced stewarding, additional policing, robust ticketing controls and further safety measures on the day. Fans have been told in no uncertain terms to:

  • Use only tickets purchased through official club channels.
  • Sit in the correct designated home or away section, with anyone found in the wrong area facing ejection and further sanction.
  • Arrive early to allow time for security searches and stadium entry procedures.
  • Follow all instructions from stewards and police, and report any unsafe, discriminatory or anti-social behaviour.

The clubs stated that anyone found engaging in violence, discriminatory behaviour, pitch or trackside encroachment, missile-throwing or pyrotechnic use "risks arrest, prosecution, football banning orders and long-term or permanent exclusion from their club."

The statement added that the clubs had worked closely with the Safety Advisory Group, local authorities and police to ensure the appropriate arrangements were in place.

A rivalry being revived at second-tier level

The significance of this fixture for Championship supporters cannot be overstated. Both clubs are competing in the second tier this season, and a local derby of this magnitude carries an extra charge when league points are the stakes. Five years is a long time between league meetings; the appetite among supporters on both sides is obvious, and the vast majority will attend, as the clubs themselves acknowledged, "to support their team passionately and responsibly."

That is worth saying plainly. The clubs' statement was careful to note that the overwhelming majority of Albion and Wolves fans attend fixtures without incident. The warnings are directed at a minority whose behaviour in 2024 brought serious criminal consequences and damaged the reputation of a fixture that both sets of supporters hold dear.

What is at stake beyond Sunday

Derby fixtures at Championship level can shift momentum in ways a routine mid-week match rarely does. A result either way will reverberate through the dressing rooms and the stands for weeks. That is precisely why it matters that the occasion is remembered for the football rather than for disorder in the stands.

The authorities and both clubs have made their position clear. The consequences of ignoring it, as 2024 demonstrated, are severe and lasting. Sunday is an opportunity to reclaim the derby for the supporters it belongs to.

Frequently asked

When is the Wolves vs West Brom Championship derby?
The match kicks off at 12:00 BST on Sunday at Molineux, and is the clubs' first Championship meeting in five years.
What happened at the last Wolves vs West Brom match?
An FA Cup tie at The Hawthorns in January 2024 was halted for 38 minutes after crowd disorder; 43 people were arrested, 12 were charged and sentenced, and five supporters received permanent bans.
What security measures are in place for the Wolves vs West Brom derby?
Both clubs have confirmed enhanced stewarding, additional policing, stricter ticketing controls and extra safety measures, with supporters warned that violence or pyrotechnic use could result in arrest, prosecution and long-term bans.