FEARS GROW OVER PITCH INVASIONS
FOOTBALL bosses have admitted they are “very concerned” about the shocking rise in crowd violence.
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira is under investigation by the FA after being at the centre of the latest shameful incident.
Vieira kicked out at a fan after enduring extreme provocation during a pitch invasion by Everton fans following their side’s 3-2 win against Palace on Thursday night.
The ugly scenes at Goodison marked yet another flare-up in a dreadful week which has shamed football.
A Nottingham Forest fan was jailed for headbutting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp during a pitch invasion and Swindon players claimed they were attacked by Port Vale fans after their play-off penalty shootout defeat on Thursday.
The EFL is threatening to impose stadium closures and
And Newcastle boss Eddie Howe fears “potential tragedy”. The Toon travel to face Burnley tomorrow for a game which could see the home side relegated and Howe said: “It’s something we have to act quickly on to avert a potential tragedy.
“I think we are going into dangerous territory where we are going into games where something could happen that has terrible consequences.
“The authorities must act quickly to make sure we make the grounds as safe as we can.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Premier League games, the FA said: “We are very concerned about the rise in anti-social behaviour. These incidents are completely unacceptable and have no place in our game.”
The UK’s chief football policing officer Mark Roberts added: “It’s been alarming to see a rise in the number of fans entering the pitch and we will work with clubs to help prevent these incidents in future.”