PFA call for ‘vigilance’ after pitch invasion

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor yesterday called on clubs and police to remain extra vigilant following the ugly scenes which marred the end of Chelsea’s FA Cup win at Spurs.

After a fan ran onto the White Hart Lane pitch and aimed a punch at Frank Lampard, the PFA boss recalled the 1993 incident which saw tennis star Monica Seles stabbed on court.

Security at Tottenham’s ground will be scrutinised by the FA, who deemed the scenes “unacceptable”.

The incident on the pitch after the final whistle of Chelsea’s victory served to highlight the potential vulnerability of players.

“It’s a time for police and stewards to take extra vigilance with CCTV at certain times, we don’t want something serious to happen like it did in tennis a few years back,” said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.

“It’s a warning to all clubs in case there are copy-cat actions.”

Seles was stabbed on court in 1993 by Gunter Parche during a tournament in Hamburg, raising the safety issue for tennis stars.

The supporter who confronted Lampard, an 18-year-old from Slough, will appear at Haringey Magistrates next week after being charged with encroaching onto the pitch.

“Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the decision is made to charge solely regarding the pitch invasion,” confirmed a police spokesperson.

Spurs have given the supporter a lifetime ban from White Hart Lane and have given Chelsea the details of another fan who got onto the pitch after the final whistle.