Howe can foresee potential tragedy
EDDIE HOWE has warned of a “potential tragedy” if fans are allowed to invade pitches after games.
The Newcastle boss and his players face a end-of-season game at former club Burnley tomorrow that will determine the Clarets’ Premier League status.
The tunnel at Turf Moor is on the opposite corner of the pitch to where Howe will be standing.
After Billy Sharp was assaulted by a fan at Nottingham Forest, PatrickVieira kicked out at a supporter who taunted him during a Goodison Park pitch invasion and Swindon players fighting fans who attacked them after Thursday’s League Two play-off defeat against Port Vale, Howe says it is time to act.
He: “It is something we have to act quickly on to avert a potential tragedy.
“I am concerned for the safety of everyone connected with both teams. It is not something you want to see on a regular basis.
Safety of players, referees, managers is paramount and we have to find a way to guarantee that.
“The scenes at Nottingham Forest were shocking to see and Everton as well. We are going into dangerous territory.
“The authorities have to act quickly to make the grounds as safe as we can.”
Former England manager Roy Hodgson, who retires from club football today, said the increasing violence in grounds would put him off the game if he was a casual fan.
He said: “It brings the game down. I often think when these things happen that if I wasn’t in football whether I would want anything to do with it.
“Particularly with Billy Sharp – that is unbelievable.
“But if people are allowed to come on the field and get that close to players one cannot be too surprised that it does happen.”