Cardiff's Bielik banned two matches and fined £10,000 for grabbing Portsmouth fan by the throat

Cardiff City midfielder Krystian Bielik has been suspended for two matches and fined £10,000 after admitting an FA misconduct charge stemming from a physical altercation with a Portsmouth supporter during a Championship fixture at around the 71st minute on Saturday, 5 September.

The incident began when the ball went out of play and Bielik moved to the advertising hoardings to retrieve it quickly. A Portsmouth supporter in the front row deliberately threw the ball away to waste time. Bielik responded by leaning over the hoarding and appearing to grab the fan by the throat. The supporter then slapped the Cardiff defender in the face before stewards, teammates, and match officials intervened — forcing a temporary halt to the game.

The Football Association reviewed video evidence of the confrontation before charging the 28-year-old Polish international with acting in an improper manner. Bielik subsequently admitted the charge, and an independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions following a formal hearing. The two-match ban applies across all competitions, and written reasons will be published in due course.

The punishment draws a line under one of the more extraordinary touchline incidents of the Championship season so far, though the episode will remain a significant blemish on Bielik’s record. Cardiff have not publicly commented on the sanction beyond the FA’s confirmation.