Sky Sports cameras captured an ugly scene in the stands as a Luton Town supporter punched a fellow fan following the Hatters’ League One defeat to Reading on Thursday night.
Despite battling back from two goals down to level the match at 2–2 late on, Luton were undone when Reading substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan struck a 78th-minute winner. The result left Luton seventh in the table, dealing a blow to their promotion hopes.
In the immediate aftermath at the Madejski Stadium, Luton players Teden Mengi and Cohen Bramall were seen attempting to engage with an agitated group of travelling supporters.
One man, wearing a black jacket, appeared particularly incensed as he leaned over the pitchside barrier, shouting at the players and gesticulating angrily.
He was then tapped on the back by another supporter in a green hoodie and blue jacket, who remonstrated with him while pointing towards a young boy standing nearby.
The man at the barrier responded by pushing the second supporter, who then punched him in the face. As the confrontation escalated, Sky Sports Football cameras, which had briefly zoomed out, quickly cut away from the incident.
One man, wearing a black jacket, appeared particularly incensed as he leaned over the pitchside barrier, shouting at the players and gesticulating angrily
He was then tapped on the back by another supporter in a green hoodie and blue jacket, who appeared to remonstrate with him while pointing towards a young boy standing nearby
The man at the barrier responded by pushing the second supporter, who then appeared to punch him in the face (above), as the Sky Sports Football cameras quickly cut away
In separate footage captured by DeggyUK from the stands, the supporter wearing the black jacket can be seen pulling Bramall’s arm moments before he was punched.
The dramatic scenes followed a significant victory for Leam Richardson’s Reading side, while frustration boiled over among the visiting Luton support after managing just three points in their last four games.
Luton fell behind when Hatters goalkeeper Josh Keeley clumsily felled Daniel Kyerewaa following a swift home break, and Lewis Wing coolly converted from the spot in the eighth minute.
The Royals struck again in the 52nd minute when patient build-up play ended with Randell Williams setting up Jack Marriott to sweetly drill home from the edge of the area.
Luton pulled a goal back seven minutes later when Wing made a hash of clearing a Shayden Morris cross and Jordan Clark poked in the loose ball.
The comeback was on when full back Nigel Lonwijk crashed home a glorious equaliser from distance in the 76th minute, only for Ehibhatiomhan to guide the winner past Keeley from a tight angle two minutes later.
Luton are in the third tier this season after suffering disappointing back-to-back relegations from the Premier League in 2023-24.
Former Luton academy graduate and Arsenal midfielder Wilshere, 33, was appointed Hatters boss in October, taking over from Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked after only nine months
Former Luton academy graduate and Arsenal midfielder Wilshere, 33, was appointed Hatters boss in October, taking over from Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked after only nine months in post.
Since joining the Hatters, Wilshere has won six of his first 13 games in charge.
Luton are back in action on Boxing Day when Wycombe Wanderers travel to Kenilworth Road.
