Football managers scramble to find solutions to stop 'dangerous' pitch invasions

Football bosses have called for action to stop “dangerous” pitch invasions after violence broke out at the end of an Everton v Crystal Palace match.

Palace boss Patrick Vieira kicked an Everton fan who goaded him on the pitch at Goodison Park after the home side won 3-2 on Thursday.

Police said four men were arrested and one officer was treated for smoke inhalation after flares were set off on the pitch. And during the match, an Everton fan seemed to slap Palace player Joachim Andersen on the backside.

On the same night, there were shameful scenes at Vale Park after Port Vale beat Swindon Town. Vale fans invaded the pitch and footage showed punches thrown at players.

Nottingham Forest thug Robert Biggs, 30, was this week jailed for 24 weeks for head-butting Sheffield United player Billy Sharp during a pitch invasion on May 17.

Now club bosses, the FA and the police are scrambling to find a solution to stop pitch invasions.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said they were “dangerous” for opposition players. He said: “We can celebrate without threatening ourselves and the opponent.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “I don’t mind the celebration aspect. It’s the aggression towards the opposition, it’s swarms of people around one or two people. That’s something we have to act very quickly on because we want to avert potential tragedy.”

Norwich boss Dean Smith said: “I don’t think security-wise we’re doing enough. Football fans, we missed them during the Covid period.

“But come on, give your heads a wobble, you don’t want to be running on and attacking people and managers. It’s a major concern.”

Commenting on Thursday’s violence, Swindon Town boss Ben Garner said: “I don’t know where we’re going to as a country, but it’s