English Professional Footballers' Association is seeking legal advice to determine whether players attacked by fans can defend themselves

2023-05-16 13:27

English Professional Footballers' Association is seeking legal advice to determine whether players attacked by fans can defend themselves

According to The Guardian, the Professional Footballers' Association ( PFA ) is seeking legal advice to determine whether players who have been attacked by fans can use reasonable force to defend themselves.


The move came as concerns escalated over possible further incidents in the second leg of the Football League play-offs and the final two weeks of the Premier League after Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was threatened over a confrontation with a Leeds United fan.


Some PFA members are understood to be growing concerned about what appears to be a lack of legal protection for players, while also expressing misgivings about how players judge "reasonable strength" when crowds invade.


An email sent to members by the PFA , seen by The Guardian , pledged to support players in any event.


The email read: "As your union, we are here to support you and seek legal guidance on your rights like the massive stadium invasion that occurred last year. Harassment, assault and attack by spectators is never justified , nor the player's 'fault'."


The PFA member is understood to have drawn particular attention over Ollie McBurney's court case at Nottingham Forest's game against Sheffield United late last season, with Sheffield United's Billy Sharp being attacked. McBurney did not charge fans who entered the field.


Several other players and staff were attacked or harassed by spectators during last year's play-offs and Everton's escape from Premier League relegation, prompting expressions of a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of security and pitch intrusion management .


Last July, the Premier League, the English Football League and the English Football Association announced that pitch trespassers would be banned from pitches and reported to the police. To the apparent dismay of the PFA, such incidents are still happening this season, including Bradford's Andy Cook being confronted by a Stevenage fan after scoring in February. In January, Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Lansdale was kicked by a fan who broke into the boundary fence during a game against Tottenham.


The second leg of the play-offs will start on Tuesday. The PFA have reminded players of their right to be aware of security plans and to act if conditions are deemed unsafe.


"We have made it clear to authorities that these types of incidents continue to occur far too often, with players being forced to protect themselves and stewards and security often too slow to respond," the email said.