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.
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Even while Vieira addressed the issue in his post-match press conference following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, Manchester City were simultaneously releasing a statement to apologise to Aston Villa's goalkeeper Robin Olsen after it emerged that he had been assaulted by fans following a pitch invasion to celebrate their title win.
Speaking about the confrontation at Goodison Park for the first time, Vieira said: “I think the Everton incident is bigger than just that incident. When you look at it in the Premier League, there were a lot of field invasions that can cause trouble. There are real issues here to reflect on and try to see what is the best way to manage it and to deal with it.
“You don’t know what can happen. When you don’t know what can happen of course you fear for anything, for the players. We want to be safe and the best way to do that is we need to reflect on what is the best way for those kinds of things not to happen on the field. As a coach, manager, player or staff we want to be safe in our workplace.”
He added: “I think there is a big issue on the FA and Premier League’s plate to deal with. They need the support and the club and the players to get involved. Everybody has to take responsibility and see what is the best way for those things not to happen.”
