Stars must stop taunting fans... or it could be a knife instead of a coin which is thrown

This isn't an excuse for abuse or throwing coins but players have to take more responsibility for the way they behave on the field.
A goal celebration should be a show of joy, but when it is received as an act of provocation and aggression, especially in an away game, it creates an entirely different reaction.

The behaviour of some players, when leaving the field to celebrate, is dangerous and irresponsible. They are putting their own safety at risk.

Emotion: Ashley Young and Robin van Persie celebrate Manchester United's victory over Manchester City

Football's emotion and tribal instincts can turn normal people into animals, leading to supporters running on the pitch, throwing missiles or making obscene gestures. Some people think they have paid their money so they can say what they want. Now it seems others think they can throw what they want.
I don't want players to become robots but they need to be aware of their environment. Next time, instead of a coin, it could be an idiot with a knife.
I'm not trying to be a killjoy, nor a hypocrite. I remember scoring a last-minute header for Liverpool against Newcastle. I went running for the manager, Gerard Houllier, who I believed had treated me poorly. Luckily, my team-mates knew how I was feeling and stopped me from getting to him. I don't know what I'd have done, but I wasn't planning to hug him tenderly.

Restraining order: Redknapp was held back by his own players from venting his frustrations at Gerard Houllier

The emotion of scoring a late winner; a mixture of joy, aggression, thrill and excitement, is hard to control. You've scored for your team, your manager, your family, your fans and yourself.
So I can understand how Manchester United's players were feeling after Robin van Persie's late winner in the derby. They wanted to share the celebration in front of their own supporters.
I've played in Liverpool v United games and would argue the atmosphere is worse than the derby mood in Manchester, despite the high stakes between the two teams, currently the best in the country.

Hit: Ferdinand was struck by a coin in the dying moments of the derby while celebrating Robin van Persie's goal

Confrontation: A City fan makes his way on to the pitch but is held back by Man City stopper Joe Hart

But players are putting themselves at risk when they leave the field of play to celebrate a goal, especially away from home.
They are reminded before games to stay on the field. Referees are told to use a yellow card as a deterrent, but players are soon overcome with emotion and lose control when a goal is scored.
This season, we have seen a seat, lighters, coins thrown and a steward injured at Chelsea in the aftermath of a goal. It's time for the players to take a look at themselves and introduce some control.

Under siege: The United defender holds his head after being struck by a coin thrown from the crowd