CARDIFF'S BIELIK BANNED TWO MATCHES OVER FAN ALTERCATION

Cardiff City defender Krystian Bielik has been suspended for two matches and fined £10,000 by the Football Association following an altercation with a Portsmouth supporter during a Championship match at Fratton Park. The incident occurred in the 71st minute of the fixture on 5 September, which Cardiff lost 2-0, as Bielik went to retrieve the ball from the crowd. The FA said Bielik was charged with misconduct for allegedly acting in an improper manner and that he subsequently admitted the charge. An independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions following a hearing, with written reasons for the decision to be published in due course.

Video footage showed Bielik becoming involved in an altercation with a young male supporter after the fan caught the ball and threw it back towards the pitch, with the player appearing to push the fan in the throat. Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said Bielik had been slapped in the face during the altercation, while Portsmouth manager John Mousinho apologised to the visiting team. Hampshire Police launched an investigation into the incident involving the supporter and the player.

Hampshire Police said it concluded its investigation after speaking with the complainant and reviewing available evidence, resolving the matter through an out-of-court disposal agreed by all parties involved. As part of the resolution, the player provided an apology. Police said the matter is now closed, with no further action to be taken. The FA's sanctions against Bielik follow separately from the police resolution.