Patrick Vieira fears for the safety of players and managers if action is not taken to address the increasing number of pitch invasions taking place in English football.
The Football Association is currently looking into an incident involving Vieira, after he was confronted on the pitch at Goodison Park following Crystal Palace’s defeat to Everton and kicked out at a supporter.
There have been recent pitch invasions at Northampton and Port Vale too, while a Nottingham Forest fan was jailed after running on the pitch and headbutting Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp.
Manchester City, who sealed the Premier League title in dramatic fashion, released a statement after the match apologising to Aston Villa after it emerged that goalkeeper Robin Olsen had been assaulted during a pitch invasion at full-time.
Speaking about his confrontation at Goodison Park for the first time, Vieira called for football’s authorities to take action and ensure the protection of those on the pitch, before further serious incidents take place.
“I think the Everton incident is bigger than just that incident,” Vieira said.
“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 kind of things not to happen on the field. As a coach, manager, player or staff we want to be safe in our workplace.
“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.”
The news at Selhurst Park on Sunday was more positive for Vieira and his Palace side, after they beat Manchester United 1-0 to finish the Premier League season in style.
It means the Eagles end Vieira’s first campaign in charge 12th in the table, having also reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
