Patrick Vieira: Crystal Palace boss involved in altercation with pitch invader after Everton defeat

Patrick Vieira: Crystal Palace boss involved in altercation with pitch invader after Everton defeat
_124825381_gettyimages-1240774948.jpgEverton fans swarmed on to the Goodison Park pitch at full-time after the Toffees secured their Premier League status in dramatic fashion

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was involved in an altercation with a supporter during a pitch invasion following the club's dramatic Premier League defeat at Everton.

Television footage showed him being taunted by an Everton supporter as fans ran on to the pitch at full-time.

The Frenchman appeared to kick out at the fan before being ushered a way by other supporters.

Everton staged a stunning comeback to win and retain their top-flight status.

"I have nothing to say about that," Vieira said when asked about the incident during his post-match presser.

Everton manager Frank Lampard said: "I feel for Patrick. I didn't get him at the end. I would have said, 'come in with us' - although he might not have wanted that.

"Of course he ran 80 yards across the pitch and it's not easy."

On the pitch invasion, Lampard added: "It was pure elation of fans who have come on the pitch after avoiding relegation.

"If it is done in the right way let them stay on the pitch, let them have their moment. As long as they behave, no problem."

Vieira's confrontation at Goodison Park comes amid rising concerns over pitch invasions in English football following a number of recent high-profile incidents.

Footage on social media also appeared to show Swindon players involved in a confrontation with Port Vale fans following Vale's League Two semi-final shootout win on Thursday evening.

The other League Two semi-final, played on Wednesday, also ended in a pitch invasion with Mansfield boss Nigel Clough saying such incidents are "getting concerning" after his player Jordan Bowery appeared to be barged into late on in their win at Northampton.

Earlier on Thursday, a fan was jailed after running on to a pitch and headbutting Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp at the end of the Blades' Championship play-off semi-final shootout defeat by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

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