Pep Guardiola has given tacit backing to Patrick Vieira after he kicked out at a taunting Everton fan during a pitch invasion at Crystal Palace last night. The Manchester City boss said he understood why the Palace boss reacted the way he did as supporters flooded the pitch after their 3-2 comeback win at Goodison Park that ensured their Premier League safety.
And Guardiola urged City fans to celebrate in the right way if his team clinches the Premier League title by beating Aston Villa in the final day of the season on Sunday. The Vieira incident came in a week that also saw a Nottingham Forest fan jailed for a head-butt on Sheffield United's Billy Sharp, while another incident involving Blades striker Oli McBurnie following the same game is being looked at by police.
There were also incidents in a play-off game between Port Vale and Swindon, when some of the away players were "physically and verbally abused" after losing a penalty shoot-out, according to manager Ben Garner. At Goodison, one fan ran to Vieira and was seen taunting him and waving his hands in the former City player's face, with the Frenchman reacting by kicking out and then squaring up before other fans ensured there was no further incident.
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Guardiola said the incidents this week were a warning to City fans and expressed his sympathy for Vieira's reaction: "The images ... you have to be careful, at Goodison Park and Port Vale and other games. "Championship semi-final (between Forest and Sheffield United). Lots of emotions, happiness, some alcohol, it's dangerous. We have to try to behave as good as possible, celebrate in the right way in the right moment.
"It's dangerous what happened yesterday, I understand Patrick, you never know how people will react."
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