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Cardiff's Bielik avoids red card after appearing to grab fan around throat

Bielik appeared to grab a fan by the throat
Bielik appeared to grab a fan by the throatEvery Second Media / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Former Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik avoided a red card following an altercation with a fan in Cardiff's 2-0 defeat away to Portsmouth.

Currently plying his trade at Cardiff City, joining from West Brom this summer, Bielik has featured in all three games since his move.

With his side 2-0 down against Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, Bielik was involved in an altercation with a fan in the 70th minute.

The defender went to retrieve the ball for a throw-in, only for a young fan to throw the ball over his head.

In immediate retaliation, Bielik reached into the stands and appeared to grab the spectator by the throat. Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said after the match that his player had been slapped by a fan.

"Krystian went to get the ball back from the stands and got slapped in the face," he said.

"I wanted to make sure he (Bielik) was protected and make sure he was okay, which he is.

"He (the referee) said he’d seen everything which occurred really clearly, so he diffused the situation and implemented the correct processes from there.

"The players are always subjected to different things that are not acceptable.

"My job is to protect the players, but really I’m trying to make sure that we play well and win.

"I’m sure the FA will look at it and implement the correct processes."

Bielik avoided punishment from the referee, although Barry-Murphy conceded that the FA will have to look at the events.