Tuesday 28 April 2015 14:54, UK
Widnes chief executive James Rule has urged the club’s supporters to be on their best behaviour during Sunday's Super League derby at Warrington.
The RFL is investigating a crowd disturbance at the home game against Wolves on April 2 and Rule was keen to remind fans the club received a suspended fine following a pitch invasion at last year's Challenge Cup semi-final.
"I thought it was appropriate to make our supporters aware that we have received notification from the RFL informing us that there will be an investigation into elements of crowd behaviour at our home fixture against Warrington Wolves," said Rule.
"Unfortunately, as our supporters will be aware, two flares were set off during the game. It is believed that one was set off by Widnes Vikings supporters and one by Warrington Wolves supporters.
"I would like to remind our supporters that as we have a suspended fine hanging over us due to last year's Challenge Cup semi-final pitch invasion, we are at serious risk of incurring a financial penalty for the incidents on April 2nd.
"Any such penalty will have a direct impact on the recruitment and retention of players for the 2016 season.
"With that in mind and in advance of the return fixture against Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this weekend, I am appealing to all of our supporters to represent the club with passion and with noise, but without engaging in incidences of anti-social behaviour."
Police will be present at the entrances to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday to prevent fans taking flares into the ground and he is keen for spectators who witness any anti-social behaviour during the match to report it to stewards.
