Police investigate after Birmingham City fan appeared to hit Ipswich player

West Midlands Police are liaising with Birmingham City and reviewing footage after Ipswich Town player Jack Taylor was allegedly struck by a Birmingham City supporter during the Championship opener.

Police inquiry after Birmingham City fan appeared to hit Ipswich player

A police inquiry has begun after Ipswich Town midfielder Jack Taylor was allegedly struck by a Birmingham City supporter during the Championship opener at St Andrew's on Friday night. West Midlands Police say they are reviewing footage and liaising with the clubs as they gather evidence. The match finished 1-1 after George Hirst converted a stoppage-time penalty, and celebrations reportedly sparked a melee involving players from both sides.

Birmingham City issued a statement saying it has a zero-tolerance policy toward violent and anti-social behaviour inside or around the stadium and will cooperate with investigators to identify those involved.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about crowd control in high-energy moments and the challenge of keeping fans safe when celebrations spill into confrontation. It tests how clubs, police, and stewards coordinate during stoppage-time chaos and how quickly accountability follows.

Looking ahead, the case will shape how fans talk about safety and how authorities respond to violence near football venues. If investigations lead to charges or sanctions, clubs may face reputational heat and potential changes to security policies.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal how quickly safety standards translate into concrete action.