Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says he fears for the safety of players and managers if something is not done to address the rising number of pitch invasions in English football.
The Frenchman was involved in an incident at Goodison Park on Thursday night after he was confronted on the pitch following Palace’s 3-2 defeat to Everton, appearing to kick out at a supporter. Striker Christian Benteke was also reportedly struck by a fan while Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha had lit flares waved in their faces while being goaded.
There have been other pitch invasions with similar outcomes over the last two weeks. A 30-year-old Nottingham Forest fan was jailed for 24 weeks on Friday after admitting to headbutting Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp during their Championship play-off semi-final clash three days prior while - at the same time as Palace played Everton on Thursday - Swindon Town players were attacked by pitch invaders following a loss on penalties in their play-off semi-final against Port Vale.
