Premier League clubs unanimously agree on new actions to stop pitch invaders amid investigation

The Premier League has agreed to introduce new safety measures to prevent crowd trouble and misbehaviour at games with clubs unanimously agreeing for away teams to provide additional stewards for matches on the road.

Several top-flight fixtures were marred by pitch invasions towards the tail end of the 2021/22 season, with the highest-profile incidents seeing Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Robin Olsen attacked by invading Manchester City fans and Crystal Palace players and manager Patrick Vieira involved in altercations with Everton supporters following two pitch invasions at Goodison Park.

The latter sparked an investigation by Merseyside Police which was later closed, though the English Football Association is still gathering information and evidence on the matter and are expected to present its findings in the near future following contribution from Palace.

Speaking about the rise of pitch invasions at games, Vieira told reporters: “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.”

Now, following discussions between the Premier League and its member clubs, it has been decided that more will be done next season to stop crowd trouble. Clubs have unanimously agreed on the requirement for visiting clubs to provide stewards for away matches in order to improve safety for supporters.

“It is vital that everyone feels safe at a