Police Investigate Alleged Assault After Cardiff City Player Appears To Grab Young Portsmouth Fan
Hampshire Police have opened an investigation into an alleged common assault after Cardiff City midfielder Krystian Bielik appeared to grab a young Portsmouth supporter by the neck during Saturday’s Championship clash at Fratton Park.
The incident unfolded in the 70th minute of Portsmouth’s 2-0 victory and briefly brought the match to a halt as tensions spilled over between the Cardiff player and a supporter near the touchline.
Bielik, 28, had gone over to retrieve the ball before taking a throw-in when he became involved in a heated exchange with the fan. Replays appeared to show the former Arsenal player grabbing the youngster around the throat.
The supporter then appeared to slap Bielik before stewards intervened and escorted him and his family from the stadium. The referee subsequently stopped play while the situation was brought under control.
Police And FA Set To Investigate
Hampshire Police have confirmed that enquiries are now under way, while the Football Association is also expected to examine the incident after it was included in the referee’s report.
A Hampshire Police spokesperson told Mirror Football: “We can confirm that we are investigating an incident in which a teenage boy was reportedly the victim of a common assault during yesterday’s (Saturday 5 September) football match at Fratton Park. Our enquiries are ongoing.”
Portsmouth have also stressed that the matter is being treated as a safeguarding issue and urged supporters not to draw conclusions while the investigations continue.
The club said: “Portsmouth Football Club are aware of supporter concerns regarding the incident involving a young fan and an opposition player at yesterday’s match at Fratton Park.
“As this remains a safeguarding matter and is currently under investigation by both the club and the police, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on the circumstances at this time. However, we are aware that a number of claims and assertions are circulating on social media. We would urge caution against speculation while enquiries are ongoing.
“The welfare and safeguarding of young people are of paramount importance to Portsmouth Football Club. We will continue to liaise with the relevant parties as enquiries progress. No further comment will be made at this stage while investigations remain ongoing.”
Cardiff Back Bielik As Due Process Begins
Cardiff City have also acknowledged the confrontation but said they would not comment further while the relevant processes take place.
A club spokesperson said: “Cardiff City FC is aware of a confrontation between a small section of Portsmouth supporters and Krystian Bielik at Fratton Park yesterday.
“We are satisfied with the way that match officials dealt with the situation during the game, having been in full view of it. Player protection will always be of paramount importance to us.
“It is understood that due process will be undertaken following the submission of the referee’s report to the Football Association. As such it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.”
Cardiff Boss Praises Referee’s Handling
Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said his immediate concern was making sure Bielik was safe following the confrontation.
“I wanted to make sure he (Bielik) was protected and make sure he was okay, which he is,” Barry-Murphy said.
“I thought the referee and his staff handled the incident impeccably. I was assured by him the correct processes will take place.
“He said he’d seen everything which occurred really clearly, so he diffused the situation and implemented the correct processes from there.”
Barry-Murphy also highlighted the treatment players can sometimes receive during matches, while making clear that the incident will now be left to the appropriate authorities.
“The players are always subjected to different things that’s not acceptable. My job is to protect the players, but really I’m trying to make sure that we play well and win,” he said.
“I’m sure the FA will look at it and implement the correct processes.”
With police enquiries ongoing and the referee’s report now set to go before the FA, the full circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain under investigation. For now, both clubs have urged restraint as the relevant authorities establish exactly what happened at Fratton Park.
