Norwich’s manager, David Wagner, called for the “idiots” who launched a can of beer at Delia Smith’s car before a fiery drawn East Anglian derby to be banned for life.
Ipswich fans heralded their team’s arrival for the match at Portman Road with a vocal display of support, letting off blue flares and hailing the players currently flying high in the Championship. But that greeting quickly turned hostile for the Norwich co-owner, with Smith’s car struck while held stationary directly behind the Ipswich team coach.
Asked about the incident, Wagner confirmed Smith was unharmed, but added: “Unfortunately, there are idiots all over the world. It does not get in my head how I can behave like this when a woman over 80 years old in a car drives to a football match, even if she maybe supports the opponent. It makes no sense. Hopefully they will find the people and get a ban for their life.”
Hostilities continued once the match got under way, with a fiery tempo on the pitch matched by a constant stream of invective from both sets of supporters in the stands. Despite Ipswich’s dominance from the outset, Kieran McKenna’s side let an early lead slip before fighting back to secure a 2-2 draw after Jonathan Rowe’s quickfire double for Norwich.
McKenna said he was unaware of the incident with Smith, but hailed the support given to his team before the match. “It’s so appreciated,” he said. “It’s fantastic memories. I think it strengthens the bond going forward on a day like today when you see what the club is capable of.
“You see the atmosphere created before the game, you see the following, you see the interest in the town because the team is doing well and we’re playing in a derby – the vocal support that the players got.”
The draw means high-flying Ipswich remain second in the Championship table, 21 points ahead of Norwich, who sit just outside the playoff places.
