MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 05:48:35| >> :120:15365:15365:

Authorities join forces to condemn pitch invasions

Pitch invasions at St Andrew's and the Emirates Stadium have resulted in FA charges.

England's main football authorities have released a joint statement condemning the "reprehensible" behaviour seen at Birmingham and Arsenal last weekend.

Birmingham supporter Paul Mitchell was given a custodial sentence on Monday after he ran onto the pitch and punched Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish during Sunday's derby match at St Andrew's.

Later the same day a supporter ran onto the pitch during the Arsenal v Manchester United game and barged into United defender Chris Smalling.

Arsenal and Birmingham have been charged by the FA over the incidents, and the game's national governing body has combined with the Premier League and the English Football League to speak out.

"The FA, Premier League and EFL strongly condemn the reprehensible actions of supporters who entered the field of play last weekend," the statement began.

"English football has worked hard over many years to ensure that our grounds are safe places. Everyone involved in staging a game deserves to enjoy the highest safety standards and we are determined to prevent these standards from being undermined."

The statement continued: "It is essential that all players feel safe and supported every time they go on the pitch and there is absolutely no place for any type of behaviour that puts this at risk.

"We also acknowledge that the overwhelming majority of fans attend football matches to support their team in a positive manner and we will continue to work with those fans, clubs and stakeholders to generate the best possible atmosphere at games.

"Anyone who attends a match to threaten this principle, either from the stands or by entering the field of play, will face the strongest possible sanctions.

"The FA, Premier League and EFL wholeheartedly promote the Football Supporters' Federation's 'passion not poison' call to respect opposition clubs and fans.

"We encourage all supporters to carefully consider their behaviour, not only at this weekend's Premier League, EFL and FA Cup matches, but at all games in the future."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'cf7bee99-4043-4a0a-8503-88874c448f2d');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Authorities join forces to condemn pitch invasions'});

ID:353534: cacheID:353534:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4051:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A Birmingham City fan punches Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish on March 9, 2019
Read Next:
Arsenal and Birmingham charged after spectators encroach pitches
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!