BLACKBURN Rovers have been accused of having “amateurish” stewarding after players appeared to be assaulted on the pitch in Wednesday’s cup derby at Ewood Park.

A leader of the Rovers Trust, a fans’ group, made the claim in relation to a pitch invasion by two supporters, one of whom seemed to grab Burnley’s Ashley Westwood by the throat and push James Tarkowski in the chest.

Trust chairman John Murray, speaking in a personal capacity, said what happened what a “serious infringement”.

He said: “To me it all looked a bit amateurish in terms of organisation, risk assessment and proactivity.

“Nobody seemed to be trying to take control of the situation and the stewards did not look to be up to the usual Rovers standards.

“Everybody walked rather than sprinted and it was not very proactive. It was a serious infringement and a fail.”

Barrie Oliver, chairman of the Burnley Football Supporters Club, also speaking in a personal capacity, said it was a sad situation.

He said: “The stewards did not react quickly enough to the situation but it’s easy to blame when we do not know the full circumstances.

“We do not know what the stewards had been told to do.

“It’s just a very sad situation when this sort of thing can happen at a football match.”

A spokesman for Blackburn Rovers said: “The club is working closely with the police and football authorities.

“We will assist fully with this investigation, as well as conducting our own internal inquiry, and will seek to take appropriate action at the earliest possible time.”

Burnley Football Club declined to comment.

Four people have since been charged in relation to alleged incidents at the Carabao Cup tie, which Burnley won 2-0.

Jordan Woods, 30, of Cadshaw Close, Blackburn, is accused of two counts of assault by beating and one of pitch encroachment.

Callum Linnane, 24, of Branch Road, Blackburn, has been charged with throwing a missile on to a football playing area.

They are expected to appear at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on September 14.

Connor Woods, 28, of Wythburn Avenue, Blackburn, is charged with pitch encroachment and John McQueenie, 42, of Dunoon Street, Burnley, is charged with possession of a firework/flare at a sporting event.

They are both due to appear before Blackburn magistrates on September 21.

A 30-year-old from Burnley arrested on suspicion of assault has been released under investigation pending further inquiries.