People living at the home where a firework display caused Cheltenham' Town's FA Cup match against Manchester City to be paused are not to blame.

Police spoke with the homeowners, who said they had nothing to do with the pyrotechnics which lit the skies above Whaddon Road in the game's 40th minute.

It's understood trespassers entered the property and let off the fireworks without permission.

Officers then monitored the address to ensure the offenders did not return throughout the rest of the game.

A Gloucestershire police spokesperson said: "Shortly after the incident during the match, our officers identified the property where the fireworks had been set off from and spoke to the homeowners.

"It was established the fireworks had been set off from their garden by people who had trespassed onto their property.

"The homeowners had not been aware.

"Those who were responsible had left the scene at the time of our arrival and were not traced afterwards, although officers continued monitoring the situation until the match ended and there were no further incidents."


Referee Stuart Attwell took the players off the pitch for their own safety while the fireworks continued to be let off.

Police were seen walking onto the pitch to consult with Attwell before the game was resumed five minutes later.

No arrests have been made, and there is no further appeal for information.