Ex-Gunner escapes serious sanction after fan altercation

Ex-Gunner escapes serious sanction after fan altercation Former Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik has lerned the outcome of an FA investigation after an ugly confrontation with a Portsmouth supporter at Fratton Park. Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images Former Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik has avoided a more serious sanction after an altercation with a Portsmouth supporter during Cardiff City ’s 2-0 Championship defeat at Fratton Park on September 5. Bielik has been banned for two matches and fined £10,000 following the incident, which occurred in the 70th minute with Cardiff two goals behind. The 28-year-old was attempting to retrieve the ball for a throw when footage shared online appeared to show him reaching over the advertising hoardings and grabbing a young supporter around the neck after the ball had been thrown over him. The supporter then appeared to slap Bielik and push him away. Play was stopped for around three minutes while referee Ben Speedie and his officials brought the situation under control. The supporter was subsequently asked to leave the ground. Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images Bielik had already been booked in the ninth minute but received no further punishment during the match and finished the game. Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said after the match: “Krystian went to get the ball back from the stand and got slapped in the face. “I just wanted to make sure he was protected and make sure he was OK. He is, and I thought the referee and his staff handled the incident impeccably.” Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said: “The referee said that, as Krystian went to get the ball, there was a little bit of a kerfuffle and one of the supporters struck him. “It wasn’t a good incident. We extend our apologies to the players, Cardiff, and make sure we can try to cut it out.” Bielik only joined Cardiff from West Bromwich Albion late in the summer for around £2 million. The defender joined the Gunners from Legia Warsaw in January 2015 for around the same amount. He made two senior appearances for Arsenal, both in the League Cup, with his first-team debut coming against Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015. Bielik left Arsenal permanently for Derby County in 2019 in a deal worth £7 million. Photo by James Chance/Getty Images