Brentford contact police after rugby ball kicked into stadium from high-rise flat during Liverpool defeat

Brentford have contacted police after footage spread widely on social media showing a rugby ball being kicked from a high-rise flat into the Gtech Community Stadium during their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

The club condemned the act as “dangerous and potentially very harmful”, issuing a statement confirming it had referred the matter to the relevant authorities. “The matter has been referred to the police and the club is supporting the relevant authorities in their investigation to help identify those responsible and take appropriate action, which may result in criminal prosecution,” the statement read.

The ball appeared to strike the roof of the Gtech’s East Stand before bouncing down to the pitch, with footage later emerging of a coach inside the ground removing it from the playing area.

The Gtech Community Stadium, which Brentford have occupied since moving from Griffin Park in August 2020, sits within the broader Brentford East development project and is closely surrounded by residential tower blocks and commercial buildings — a layout that makes the stadium unusually exposed to its immediate environment.

“The matchday safety of fans, staff, players and officials is of utmost importance, and the club will support all efforts to ensure action is taken,” the club added.

The incident occurred during a dramatic afternoon on the pitch. Keane Lewis-Potter gave the hosts the lead before Victor Munoz equalised with a fine finish, and Alexander Isak then struck a late winner for Liverpool — who were also playing against nine-man Brentford at that stage. The result lifted Liverpool above Brentford into fifth place in the Premier League table, with the Bees dropping to sixth.