During Saturday’s League One clash between Port Vale and Portsmouth at Vale Park, referee Craig Hicks had to leave the pitch due to a confrontation with an upset Port Vale fan. The fan, who ran onto the field to confront Hicks after he awarded a penalty to Portsmouth, was restrained by players and staff. Colby Bishop calmly converted the penalty, securing a 1-0 win for Portsmouth. A widely shared video on social media captured the fan running toward Hicks, who moved in the opposite direction. Port Vale issued a statement condemning the incident, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach and reminding supporters that entering the field is a criminal offense.
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The EFL and the PGMOL also expressed their dismay, pledging full support to Hicks and condemning the actions of the individual involved. Despite the incident, Portsmouth remains at the League One summit, while Port Vale is 20th, just above the relegation zone. The visitors dominated the match, but Bishop’s late penalty proved decisive.
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