This situation with supporters and pitch invasions has reached a new height these past few weeks and not for good reasons. Incidents of assault and violence have been witnessed due to these incidents.
Arsenal pitch invasions at the Emirates simply have not happened. The ground makes it so it would be difficult to accomplish but that hasn’t stopped individuals from running onto the pitch. In fact, there has been a peak in these types of individual invasions this season.
The Liverpool home match saw two fans attempt to tie themselves to the goalposts except were dragged off swiftly before anything could be done. It is clear these moments are becoming of greater concern.
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Pitch invasions have been commonplace in the game when teams win titles, promotion or survival. But it is the unsavoury nature of recent ones that has brought them into question.
At Gillingham, Rotherham won 2-0 to confirm automatic promotion to the Championship, relegating their rivals and fans invaded the pitch at full time. However, the home supporters, unhappy with the away fans invading their pitch then also swarmed onto the field where scuffles broke out.
Nottingham Forest fans invaded the pitch upon reaching the play-off final and one supporter ran into Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp. The perpetrator has since been jailed for 24 months.
Then, last night at Goodison Park, former Arsenal midfielder and now Crystal Palace head coach Patrick Vieira lashed out at a fan. The supporter was using abusive gestures and filming the Frenchman invading his personal space as he tried to leave the pitch.
Arsenal face Everton this weekend and should they win and Norwich City beat Tottenham, although this seems unlikely, the Gunners would snatch fourth spot in the table. An achievement which has the potential to spark a possible pitch invasion.
Although again, this is unlikely, Arsenal should be putting into place measures to curb the possibility. It is considered a criminal offence to enter the field of play but en masse, it appears that the majority of offenders never face consequences.
This lack of response and accountability has now seemingly meant that actions of assault and abuse are becoming frequent as a result. Port Vale supporters invaded the pitch on Thursday and appeared to lash out at Swindon Town players. Mandela Egbo posted to social media the scratches he escaped with.
The PFA have responded. John Mousinho, chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association has called for action to be taken for the ‘unacceptable’ behaviour.
“We’re massively concerned,” Mousinho told The Athletic. “It’s been a worry of mine for a while. Although nothing too serious has happened yet — and I think we’ve got away with another one — it’s probably only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. We really have to do something about this. That type of behaviour is unacceptable.”
Whilst Manchester City, Liverpool, Leeds United and Burnley will be under scrutiny as they face final day title and relegation battles, Arsenal’s top-four challenge brings them and Tottenham into any risk assessment. The Gunners fans should be encouraged against any form of similar behaviour.
