Eddie Howe calls for action to stop "potential tragedy" over pitch invasions
It's after a number of incidents in recent matches
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has spoken out against pitch invasions, after a number of recent incidents.
He's called for authorities to act quickly to stop pitch invasions, to avoid a "potential tragedy."
Speaking after Crystal Palace counterpart Patrick Vieira found himself at the centre of an incident at Everton on Thursday evening, Howe said: "I don't mind the celebrational aspect - embracing the success that a team has had is part of football, I've got no issue with that.
"It's the aggression towards the opposition, it's swarms of people around one or two people.
"That doesn't sit well with me at all, that's something on which we have to act very quickly because we want to avert potential tragedy."
Asked if he was concerned about recent events, Howe said: "I am concerned, I'm concerned for the safety of everyone connected with both teams because it's not something we want to see on a regular basis.
"The safety of players, referees, managers, coaches is paramount, but we have to find a way to guarantee that safety. We're there to do a job to the very best of our abilities, but we shouldn't have to be dealing with scenes that we're seeing at the end of games.
"The scenes at Nottingham Forest, I thought, were shocking to see and at Everton as well. I think we're going into dangerous territory where something could happen in a game that has terrible consequences, and I don't think anyone would want to see that.
"I think the authorities have to act quickly to make sure we make the grounds as safe as we can."
Government plans to tackle sport disorder
The issue of crowd disorder and player protection is under the spotlight after the end of the regular English Football League season and the play-offs were marred by pitch invasions.
A Nottingham Forest season-ticket holder, Robert Biggs, was jailed for 24 weeks after he deliberately charged at Sheffield United player Billy Sharp at the City Ground on Tuesday, headbutting him and knocking him to the ground.
At Northampton on Wednesday night, a man came onto the field and barged into Mansfield's Jordan Bowery during the League Two play-off semi-final second leg.
Thursday night also saw ugly scenes with incidents at Goodison Park, where Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira was involved in an apparent altercation with an Everton supporter, and Vale Park after fans spilled onto the pitches at both grounds.
The Government has announced plans to give harsher punishments for drug use in sport.
The rules, announced on Thursday by policing minister Kit Malthouse, are part of a bid to tackle a rise in violence and disorder at sports matches.
Boris Johnson said the drug habits of “middle-class coke heads” are driving crime across the UK.
“Middle-class coke heads should stop kidding themselves, their habit is feeding a war on our streets driving misery and crime across our country and beyond”, the Prime Minister said.
“That’s why we are stepping up our efforts to make sure those who break the law face the full consequences – because taking illegal drugs is never a victimless crime.”