Former Premier League Striker Calls on Stern Action Against Pitch Invasions 'Before Someone Gets Stabbed'

• Deeney says it should not be a player or manager’s fault when they defend themselves by any means during a pitch invasion by fans
• The former Watford striker wrote a column at the back of harrowing incidents involving hundreds of fans invading the pitch
• Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira and Aston Villa goalkeeper Rob Olsen have recently been unfortunate to get into confrontations with the pitch invaders

Former Watford hero Troy Deeney as called on stern action to prevent the rising trend of pitch invasions.

In the past week, there have been a number of incidents involving fans and players, and it has all stemmed from the fact that the fans stormed the pitch at full time or earlier.

Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp was reportedly assaulted last week following their playoff match against Nottingham Forrest and that one incident sparked off unsavory scenes at full time.

In a near-similar incident, Swindon Town’s Mandela Egbo sustained injuries after a pitch invasion during their game against Port Vale last Thursday.

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A higher-profile incident of fan invasion involved Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, who was confronted by an Everton supporter during a Premier League clash involving the two sides on Thursday.

Videos of the incident seemed to suggest Vieira had a kick at the fan, but the latest reports suggest no further action will be taken against the Palace boss.

Deeney, through a column on The Sun, made a passionate plea to end the trend of pitch invasions.

According to the striker, who now plays for Championship club Birmingham City, pitch invasions needed to stop ‘before someone is stabbed’.

"You don’t want the stewards to put themselves in danger but it feels like right now that if you want to walk on to a pitch, you can.” He wrote.

"What will it take for that to change? A player to react and a supporter gets seriously hurt?

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"That player would end up getting punished, and maybe a prison sentence, and then people will wake up and start talking about looking after players.

"On the flip side, it could also lead to a player being killed, quite easily.

"What happens if a player got stabbed? Then what?

"Is it still the player’s fault? And when that happens, please don’t tell them they should have known better."

Interestingly, his column was written before the final round of Premier League fixtures that saw Aston Villa goalkeeper Rob Olsson reportedly attacked by Manchester City fans at full time.

AC Milan boss has medal stolen from him

In Italy, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli had his Serie A winners’ medal stolen by fans during a pitch invasion.

Scenes of joy at AC Milan’s first Scudetto in 11 years were marred by unsavoury incidents involving hundreds of fans making their way to the pitch to join in the celebrations.

In the process, Pioli revealed his winners’ medal was snatched from his neck, although the league vowed to get him a replacement.