Barmy Army slam “violent behaviour” after crowd brawl during England vs NZ Test

A brawl broke out in the crowd at Headingley during the third Test between England and New Zealand and the Barmy Army have issued a statement

The Barmy Army have vowed to revoke the membership of any of their members who were involved in crowd violence on day four of the third and final Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley.

A brawl broke out in the Western Terrace late in the day, with footage showing fans throwing punches at each other. One of the individuals involved in the incident was wearing a retro Paul Gascoigne Euro 1996 shirt.

Police quickly intervened and removed those involved in the brawl, but the incident casts a shadow over the first Test Yorkshire have staged since the ECB overturned their ban on hosting England matches following the racism scandal. And the Barmy Army has now condemned the incident in a statement.

“After reports of some unsavoury behaviour over the weekend at Headingley, we’d like to remind anyone attending the cricket that certain behaviours aren’t tolerated by the Barmy Army, and that we are proud of our code of conduct, which is centred around respect and enjoyment of the game for all,” the organisation said.

“Any cup throwing and violent behaviour has zero place at a cricket ground, and any member found to have been involved in these activities will have their membership revoked.

“The Barmy Army is and always will be fiercely passionate about the core values of our great game.”

The unsavoury scenes marred what has been yet another enthralling Test match in a truly scintillating series.

England had already won the series before the Headingley Test began, having beaten New Zealand at Lord’s and Trent Bridge.

It has been a perfect start to the new era and Test coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, with England playing positive and entertaining cricket.