AAPApril 17, 2013,
9:01 am


Western Force officials are "embarrassed" by the pitch invasions that marred their team's Super Rugby win over the Crusaders in Perth on Saturday and have vowed to tighten security.

The Crusaders lodged an official complaint with SANZAR, labelling security "disgraceful and unacceptable" after several spectators disrupted the closing minutes of the match won 16-14 by the Force at nib Stadium.

Five men were taken into custody and all have been handed a five-year ban from the venue.

A statement from RugbyWA said one offender has also been charged with trespass while the others have been summoned to appear before Perth Magistrates Court.

"RugbyWA is embarrassed by this disruption at a Force home match and does not condone this behaviour," the statement said.

"This was unacceptable behaviour from a small minority of attendees at the venue and is the first instance of such behaviour at a Force home match in eight years of Super Rugby. Regardless, it will not be tolerated."

The statement said nib Stadium officials had made a series of recommendations about how to react better to such incidents after reviewing security measures.

SANZAR had requested reports on the pitch invasions after the Crusaders' complaint.

Meanwhile, police have been unable to confirm reports that the pitch invaders were Crusaders supporters.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...tch-invasions/