Championship match halted after clash between Cardiff’s Krystian Bielik and young Portsmouth fan | OneFootball

British police have opened an investigation after an altercation between Cardiff defender Krystian Bielik and a young Portsmouth supporter halted a Championship match. Le Progres reports that it occurred on Saturday during Portsmouth’s 2-0 win over Cardiff at Fratton Park.

Footage shared on social media shows the ball landing with a boy in the front row, apparently a young teenager. Bielik approaches to retrieve it, the boy throws it back towards the pitch out of his reach, then the defender moves towards him and appears to grab at his neck. The youngster raises a hand towards the player’s face, and the referee stops play for three minutes.

The investigation follows a video of the confrontation that went viral online, with police treating it as an alleged assault on a teenager at Fratton Park.

After the game, Cardiff’s head coach said the Poland international had been slapped by the supporter. In a statement on Sunday, the Welsh club said they were satisfied with the officials’ handling and that player protection will always be a priority.

Portsmouth issued a cautious statement noting concern among fans about the incident. The club said the welfare and safety of young people are a priority and that it will remain in contact with all parties as the investigation proceeds.

Source: Le Progres

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