Salford players were right to enter the stands as fighting broke out after their match with Huddersfield, says Giants winger Jermaine McGillvary.
Salford winger Justin Carney and centre Junior S’au were pictured in heated exchanges with supporters as they tried to make sure their children were safe after the game at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“The players were just protecting their families, it’s the natural thing to do. I would have done the same,” said McGillvary.
Salford won the match 26-24 on Monday.
In an interview with BBC Sport, McGillvary said:
- The scenes were shocking and alarming
- Women were crying
- Worst incident he had ever seen
- Culprits should be banned for life
The Bank Holiday Super League fixture was marred by unsavoury scenes in which both players and fans were involved.
Trouble brewed towards the end of the game when a flare was thrown near the pitch from the Salford end.
England international McGillvary, whose own family were in the stand, says it is the “worst incident” he has witnessed at a rugby league match.
“It was shocking and alarming,” he said. “Women were crying and kids were walking out of it. I don’t think anyone was seriously hurt but it is not a nice thing to be involved in.
“The Salford players’ wives were there with small children, there were newborn kids who were being trampled on and getting thrown about.
“The players weren’t trying to cause trouble, they were protecting and restraining them to stop them banging into children. It was absolutely the right thing to do.
“I understand they should not enter the crowd but lives are in danger. I agree totally with what the Salford players did.”
Salford head coach Ian Watson said Carney’s children – and those of team conditioner Greg Brown – were “a little bit shaken” by what had occurred.
Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood said a full investigation would be conducted into the incident.
“I reckon if the players and stewards didn’t get involved, it could have been a lot worse,” added 27-year-old McGillvary.
“If they just stood back and watched it unfold, who knows what could have happened.
“This doesn’t happen all the time, they weren’t rugby fans.
“When they find the people, they should ban them for life, there is no place in rugby league for this. They were putting kids’ lives in danger.”
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RL trouble: "Children"s lives in danger"
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