FA Cup: Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson sorry for his part in mass brawl against Millwall

Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson has apologised to his players for losing his cool and getting sent to the stands in the heated FA Cup tie against Millwall.

Bradford booked a fourth-round tie with Chelsea thanks to an easy 4-0 win but the game did boil over in the first half as players and staff became involved in a mass brawl.

It all started when Millwall’s Alan Dunne pushed Bradford's James Hanson into the advertising boards which in turn sparked a coming together between both sides.

Referee James Adcock booked Millwall goalkeeper David Forde, Dunne and Bradford's Billy Knott but also sent Parkinson and his assistant Steve Parkin to the stands for their part in the incident.

“The lad Dunne has pushed Hanson into the advertising boards and I thought it was a dangerous challenge because there’s a wall just behind there,” Parkinson said.

“Me and Steve have reacted and run down, as well as some of their coaching staff, but the ref has decided to send me and Steve to the stands.

“The ref said it was for leaving the technical area. I was trying to make sure there was no brawl but it certainly wasn’t to instigate anything. I know that you can’t leave the technical area but I thought being sent to the stands was a little bit harsh. 

“You can get a yellow card for trying to injure an opposing player but me and Steve got sent to the stands. We’ll have to take that on the chin and I’m glad it hasn’t ruined a great night.

“I said to the lads at half-time I’ve got to apologise for that because I ask the boys to keep their cool and stay on the pitch and in the heat of the moment I’ve reacted to a dangerous challenge.”