‘Pitch invasion a life threat’

Shearer says stars at risk after attack

London – Former England striker Alan Shearer has warned that players’ lives could be at risk unless urgent action is taken to prevent pitch invaders as the Professional Footballers’ Association called for a full inquiry.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was punched by a Birmingham fan and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was confronted on the pitch by an Arsenal supporter in two separate incidents on Sunday. It followed an episode on Friday in which Rangers captain James Tavernier was challenged by a pitchinvading Hibernian fan in his side’s stormy Scottish Premiership draw.

“It is absolutely disgusting and if we don’t stamp it out now, next time it could be a knife,” Shearer said in his column in the Sun. “It’s that serious. Where are we at in football when some thug thinks that is what he is going to do?” Grealish was assaulted at St Andrew’s by Birmingham fan Paul Mitchell, 27, who was later charged with invading the pitch and assault, while Smalling was confronted in United’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

“The football authorities have to be seen to nail Birmingham for the behaviour of their fan,” Shearer said. “If that means docking them points, playing in an empty stadium, so be it. There cannot be a strong enough punishment.” In a statement read out by the prosecutor at Mitchell’s court appearance, Grealish said he was fortunate not to have been seriously harmed. –