Portsmouth vs West Brom Halted After Crowd Throws Missile at Assistant Referee
Portsmouth’s recent match against West Brom was marred by an unfortunate incident when an assistant referee was hit in the eye by chewing gum. This occurred during a Championship fixture at Fratton Park, where Portsmouth secured a solid victory with a final score of 3-0. Conor Chaplin, Millenic Alli, and Ebou Adams were the goal scorers contributing to this significant win.
Match Incident
The incident took place with ten minutes left in the match. An assistant referee, James Wilson, was struck by a missile thrown from the crowd. Referee Matthew Donohue halted the game temporarily after being informed about the situation. Wilson was seen rubbing his eye, and the chewing gum was later handed to the fourth official for investigation.
Club Response
Following the incident, Portsmouth made an announcement over the stadium’s tannoy system. They described the object thrown as a “missile” and urged fans who witnessed the act to reach out to the club. This incident may result in serious repercussions from the Football Association (FA), as crowd violence is taken very seriously.
Impact on the League Standings
Despite the disruption, Portsmouth’s victory allowed them to move four points above the relegation zone in the Championship. They extended their unbeaten run to four games, providing a much-needed boost for their survival hopes. The win also propelled them past West Brom in the league standings.
West Brom’s Struggles
On the other hand, West Brom, under the management of Eric Ramsay, continues to struggle. Since replacing the dismissed Ryan Mason earlier this month, Ramsay is still searching for his first win. The team now finds itself just three points above the relegation zone, further intensifying the pressure as they prepare for their next match.
Upcoming Matches
- Portsmouth will host Ipswich on Tuesday.
- West Brom will face Stoke City next Saturday at the Hawthorns.
As the season progresses, both teams will be keen to secure crucial points to enhance their standings and avoid the threat of relegation.