Cardiff's Bielik faces FA investigation after allegedly grabbing Portsmouth fan by the throat

Cardiff City defender Krystian Bielik faces a potential lengthy ban after allegedly grabbing a young Portsmouth fan by the throat during Saturday’s EFL Championship fixture at Fratton Park, which the home side won 2-0.

The incident occurred midway through the second half when Bielik approached the touchline to retrieve the ball for a throw-in and became embroiled in a heated confrontation with a home supporter. Footage that quickly circulated on social media appears to show the 28-year-old seizing the fan around the throat. The supporter responded with what appeared to be a slap before the referee briefly halted play to restore order. The fan was subsequently ejected from the stadium.

Bielik, who had already been booked earlier in the match, received no further punishment from the referee on the day. However, the Football Association is widely expected to launch an investigation, with Bielik potentially facing a significant fine and an extended suspension.

Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy addressed the incident after the final whistle, saying his immediate priority was ensuring his player was unharmed. “I wanted to make sure he was protected and make sure he was okay, which he is,” Barry-Murphy said. “I thought the referee and his staff handled the incident impeccably. I was assured by him the correct processes will take place. He said he’d seen everything which occurred really clearly, so he diffused the situation and implemented the correct processes from there.”

Barry-Murphy added that while players are sometimes subjected to unacceptable behaviour, he was confident the governing body would act appropriately. “I’m sure the FA will look at it and implement the correct processes.”

On the pitch, goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Marezi Marezi secured all three points for Portsmouth, lifting them into midtable. The defeat leaves Cardiff without a win from their opening five Championship games since winning promotion — they have drawn three of those fixtures — and drops them into the bottom three.