TWENTY York City fans were ejected from Wembley Stadium for their part in an incident that led to three arrests at last Saturday’s FA Trophy final.

The Press can reveal today that three City supporters were arrested on suspicion of possessing fireworks.

Now, in a statement, the Football Association (FA), has said there were more people involved in the incident.

A spokesman said: “Three York City fans were arrested for possession of fireworks on Saturday and police are applying for football banning orders.

“A further 20 York City fans were ejected for their involvement in the same incident. Identities of the fans involved are being passed to York City FC for further action that the club may wish to take.

“We should also take this opportunity to emphasise the dangers that flares and smoke canisters pose in a crowded environment such as a football stadium, and this incident underlines why such devices are banned from football stadia throughout the country.”

The FA is not planning to take further action against York City. It has written to the club on the issue, and the club will be working with North Yorkshire Police over the matter.

A steward was admitted to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation after handling a firework lit in the York City section of Wembley on Saturday.

The suspects have been charged, and police will apply for an order banning them from attending any football match involving any Premiership, Football League or Football Conference team or the England team. The length of ban would be determined by a court, but the minimum period would be three years.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman described the injuries suffered by the steward as minor.

About 13,000 supporters travelled to Wembley to watch City take on Stevenage Borough at Wembley, a game the Minstermen lost 2-0. In an email to The Press, a spokesperson for the Jorvik Reds supporters’ group, which lit the flares, said: “We never had any intention of injuring or causing distress to anyone, only to get behind the team, which we feel we succeeded in doing. Numerous fans have said the display was the highlight of their day.”

City’s community and communication’s director, Sophie Hicks, said: “We are liaising with police and trying to find out more information, and we will then get to the bottom of what happened.”