Jack Grealish punched, Chris Smalling shoved: PFA calls for full inquiry after ugly day for English football

Jack Grealish punched, Chris Smalling shoved: PFA calls for full inquiry after ugly day for English football
The PFA has expressed its concern and called for a full inquiry after Jack Grealish and Chris Smalling were confronted by pitch invaders on Sunday.Grealish, the Aston Villa captain, was punched from behind at St Andrew’s just hours before an Arsenal fan appeared to shove Manchester United defender Smalling at the Emirates.Both fans were arrested but concerns have been raised as to how easily they were able to access the players.4

A fan punched Grealish from behind

4

A supporter appeared to shove Smalling

Grealish went on to hail it the ‘best day of his life’, as he recovered from the incident to score the winner.The fan, named by West Midlands Police as 27-year-old Paul Mitchell, was later charged with invading the pitch and assault.Birmingham confirmed Mitchell would be banned for life from St Andrew’s.Arsenal later pledged the same punishment would be imposed on pitch invader who marred their 2-0 victory over United. Sunday’s incidents came after Rangers captain James Tavernier found himself face to face with a fan on Friday night who had jumped out of the Hibernian support before being led away. In a statement released before the Smalling incident the PFA said: “The PFA condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of the individual who has encroached on the field of play and attacked Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.“There needs to be a full inquiry into the incident to ascertain why in a fixture with such a charged history, a fan was able to run onto the pitch virtually unchallenged and assault a player.“The PFA is concerned that we’ve seen elements of this type of behaviour coming back into the game, with several high-profile crowd related issues this season.4

Grealish ended up scoring the winning goal

“Over the last few decades there has been a great improvement in matchday security, however incidents like this demonstrate certain problems have not been eradicated and that players can be particularly vulnerable.“We must address issues of violence and player safety – this should include continued efforts with regards to education but be underpinned by strong punishments and sanctions.”Grealish scored a 67th-minute winner and later told Sky Sports Football: “(This is the) best day of my life. To come here, captain Aston Villa and score the winner is what dreams are made of, especially for me as a Villa fan.”Sky Sports4

Arsenal apologised for the incident

Birmingham issued a statement apologising to Grealish while Villa also released their own statement saying: “A red line has been crossed by this cowardly on-field assault on a player, which is unprecedented in English football.”West Midlands Police also confirmed a steward was “spoken to” in the aftermath of the Villa goal after television footage appeared to show him pushing Grealish as the player celebrated but no offence had been reported.

LIVE on talkSPORT

There are 11 live commentaries remaining across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and when you can hear them, below...

• Reading vs Leeds (Tuesday) –talkSPORT 2
• Bayern Munich vs Liverpool (Wednesday) –talkSPORT
• Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa (Wednesday) –talkSPORT 2
• Dynamo Kyiv vs Chelsea (Thursday) –talkSPORT 2
• Watford vs Crystal Palace (Saturday) –talkSPORT
• Leeds vs Sheffield United (Saturday) –talkSPORT 2
• West Ham vs Huddersfield (Saturday) –talkSPORT 2
• Swansea vs Manchester City (Saturday) –talkSPORT
• Wolves vs Manchester United (Saturday) –talkSPORT
• Millwall vs Brighton (Sunday) –talkSPORT 2
• Fulham vs Liverpool (Sunday) –talkSPORT

After Smalling was confronted at the Emirates, Arsenal released a statement saying: “We utterly condemn the behaviour of the individual who ran onto the pitch and approached Chris Smalling during today’s match. We would like to apologise to Chris and Manchester United, and are pleased that the individual was apprehended and arrested.”The EFL and Football Association condemned the incidents, while the Premier League was contacted for comment.

---

David Beckham To Target Lionel Messi As Inter Miami's Major Signing that David Beckham's plans for Inter Miami in the MLS are a talking point every other day. linked with a move for

---

Investigators into Manchester City's alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations are pushing for a one-year suspension from the Champions League, according to reports. Allegations that
Man City news: : Premier League champions file appeal to CAS

---

Arrizabalaga had to sit on the bench and watch as Caballero, the man he had refused to be substituted for at Wembley, produced a sound display as a determined Chelsea won 2-0 through goals from
Kepa Arrizabalaga told Willy Caballero that he's better than

---

Dean Henderson keen to extend Sheffield United stay after helping Blades seal promotion dailymail.co.uk; Dean Henderson: What those in the know say Manchester United's loan star shining at
Manchester United transfer news: Sheffield United hopeful of

---

Transfer latest: Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton 'tracking' Netherlands international winger Arnaut Groeneveld The 21-year-old has caught the eye with some impressive performances for Club
Transfer latest: Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton 'tracking

---

Manchester City fans seen with their backs to the game as Vincent Kompany fires in sensational winner against Leicester City Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Manchester City are the favourites to win the Premier League going into the final game this weekend after edging past Leicester on Monday.
Leicester City 0-1 Manchester United: Solskjaer says players

---

Why Tayla Harris' kicking photo is set to go viral again: New twist in AFLW star's sexism saga after she was hit with disgusting online comments. The shot of Harris in full flight gained national
AFL - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

---

Manchester United news: Paul Pogba will not stay and Zinedine Zidane is the best man to manage him, says Mido Thursday, 23 May 2019 ( 2 weeks ago ) Mino Raiola will already be planning how to get Paul Pogba out of Manchester United this summer, according to former striker Mido.
Manchester United news: Paul Pogba will not stay and Zinedine

---

Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Tottenham (agg 0-4): Harry Kane scores winner to send Mauricio Pochettino's side through to Champions League quarter-finals after defensive masterclass in Germany
Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Tottenham, RESULT (0-4 agg): Harry Kane

---

A majority of the residents now fear that they may have been short-changed after it emerged that some of the neighbours have had their payout wired into their bank accounts. Construction of the 8.96-kilometre dual carriageway project has been delayed by the slow pace of acquiring the land.
Liverpool vs Newcastle: Brilliant Dejan Lovren volley

---

How Arsenal can still finish in Premier League top four on final day of season. Arsenal have a tough job on their hands if they want to secure their place in the Champions League via domestic football
UEFA Champions League: Unai Emery upbeat about Arsenal's

---