Fan enters pitch, chases referee in Port Vale-Portsmouth match

A fan needed to be restrained by coaches and employees after working onto the pitch to confront the referee in the course of the League One fixture between Port Vale and Portsmouth on Saturday.

The supporter entered the sector of play shortly after referee Craig Hicks awarded a penalty to Portsmouth that Colby Bishop transformed to present the away aspect a 1-0 win.

Hicks ran away from the fan and headed towards the tunnel at Port Vale’s Vale Park Stadium earlier than the person was restrained by head coach Andy Crosby and different employees within the technical space in entrance of the substitutes’ benches.

The fan was finally faraway from the pitch, and the match in English soccer’s third tier was in a position to resume.

“Port Vale Soccer Membership condemn the actions of the person who entered the sector of play throughout in the present day’s match in opposition to Portsmouth,” the membership mentioned in a press release.

“We’ll work with the related authorities to make sure the matter and the person is handled a zero tolerance strategy.

“We remind all supporters that coming into the sector of play is a legal offence.”

The English Soccer League (EFL) and Skilled Recreation Match Officers Restricted (PGMOL), the physique which manages referees in England, launched a joint assertion on the confrontation.

“We’re appalled by the incident in in the present day’s League One fixture between Port Vale and Portsmouth which noticed referee Craig Hicks chased off the sector of play and condemn the senseless actions of the person concerned,” it mentioned.

“Match officers ought to by no means really feel threatened for his or her security when enjoying a pivotal position within the staging of video games in our competitions.

“We’ll present our full assist to Craig and his group alongside Port Vale and the related authorities as they search to deliver this particular person to justice.”

The consequence noticed Portsmouth stay prime of League One whereas Port Vale are only one place above the relegation zone.