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

A supporter had to be restrained by coaches and staff after running onto the pitch to confront the referee during Port Vale's League One match with Portsmouth on Saturday.

The supporter entered the pitch shortly after referee Craig Hicks awarded Portsmouth a penalty which Colby Bishop converted to give the away team a 1-0 victory.

Hicks ran away from the supporter and headed towards the tunnel at Port Vale's Vale Park stadium before the individual was restrained by head coach Andy Crosby and other staff in the technical area ahead the substitutes' benches.

The supporter was eventually removed from the field and the match in the third tier of English football was allowed to resume.

“Port Vale Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who entered the pitch during today's match against Portsmouth,” the club said. said in a statement.

“We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter and the individual are dealt with with a zero-tolerance approach.

“We remind all supporters that entering the pitch is a criminal offense.”

The English Football League (EFL) and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body that manages referees in England, have issued a joint statement on the confrontation.

“We are appalled by today's incident in League One between Port Vale and Portsmouth, during which referee Craig Hicks was removed from the field of play and condemned the callous actions of the individual involved,” he said. he declared.

“Match officials should never feel threatened for their safety when playing a central role in organizing matches in our competitions.

“We will provide our full support to Craig and his team alongside Port Vale and the relevant authorities as they seek to bring this individual to justice.”

The result kept Portsmouth top of League One while Port Vale are just one place above the relegation zone.