Coaches and staff had to restrain a fan after running onto the pitch to confront the referee during the League One match between Port Vale and Portsmouth on Saturday.
The fans entered the pitch shortly after referee Craig Hicks awarded a penalty to Portsmouth which Colby Bishop converted to give the visiting team a 1-0 victory.
Hicks escaped from the fan and headed towards the tunnel at Port Vale's Vale Park Stadium before head coach Andy Crosby and other staff detained the individual in the technical area in front of the substitutes' benches.
Finally, the fan was removed from the field of play and the match in the third division of English football was able to resume.
“Port Vale Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who entered the field during today's match against Portsmouth,” the club said. said in a statement.
“We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter and the individual are dealt with with a zero tolerance approach.
“We remind all fans that entering the field of play is a criminal offense.”
The English Football League (EFL) and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body that manages referees in England, issued a joint statement regarding the clash.
“We are dismayed by the incident that occurred today at the League One match between Port Vale and Portsmouth, in which referee Craig Hicks was ejected from the field of play and condemned the senseless actions of the individual involved,” he said.
“Referees should never feel threatened for their safety when they play a key role in organizing matches in our competitions.
“We will provide our full support to Craig and his team along with Port Vale and the relevant authorities as they seek to bring this individual to justice.”
With the result, Portsmouth remain top of League One, while Port Vale are just one place above the relegation zone.
