Former Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik has lerned the outcome of an FA investigation after an ugly confrontation with a Portsmouth supporter at Fratton Park.
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.
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.
- Premier League confirm referee for Liverpool-ArsenalThe Premier League have confirmed their match official appointments for the upcoming round of fixtures, including Arsenal’s trip away to Liverpool.
- Ex-Premier League ref backs Arsenal’s Dowman red card appealFormer Premier League referee Mark Halsey has backed Arsenal’s appeal over Max Dowman’s red card, suggesting he believes the youngster should have been booked.
- 3 back, 2 doubts, 2 out: Arsenal injury news pre-LiverpoolArsenal could get multiple players back for Sunday’s game against Liverpool, with at least four midweek absentees pushing for their comebacks.
- Arsenal star admits he’s delaying facial surgeryDavid Raya has revealed that he needs surgery on his nose to be able to breathe properly, but he’s unlikely to get it done until after his playing career ends.
- Barcelona fined for tapping up Arsenal transfer targetBarcelona have been fined for their pursuit of Arsenal target and Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, but the sanction is a minor one.