Police investigate clash between Cardiff defender Bielik and Portsmouth fan

Hampshire Police is investigating an alleged assault involving a teenage Portsmouth supporter and Cardiff defender Krystian Bielik during Portsmouth’s 2-0 Championship win on Saturday.

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Got slapped in the face.

Bielik became involved in a physical confrontation late in the second half when he went into the crowd to retrieve a ball. Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said the player “got slapped in the face,” while video circulating on social media appeared to show Bielik grabbing a young fan around the upper body.

Several Portsmouth supporters made gestures suggesting they believed the fan had been grabbed by the throat. Another supporter later threw a ball at Cardiff defender Perry Ng’s head. Both supporters were ejected from Fratton Park, and Portsmouth manager John Mousinho apologised to Cardiff’s players after the match.

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We can confirm that we are investigating an incident in which a teenage boy was reportedly the victim of a common assault during the football match at Fratton Park. Our enquiries are ongoing.

Police said the teenage boy was reportedly the victim of a common assault and that inquiries remained under way. Portsmouth said the incident was a safeguarding matter being investigated by the club and police, and urged people not to speculate about claims circulating online. The club said the welfare and safeguarding of young people were paramount.

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We would urge caution against speculation while enquiries are ongoing.

Cardiff said it was satisfied with how match officials handled the incident, saying they had been in full view of what happened. The Football Association is aware of the matter and will examine the referee’s match report before deciding whether further action is needed.

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Player protection will always be of paramount importance to us.