Port Vale 0-1 Portsmouth: EFL and PGMOL say they are appalled as Port Vale condemn fan who chased referee off the pitch in late defeat

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet League One match between Port Vale and Portsmouth at Vale Park on Saturday | PGMOL and EFL issue joint statement, joining Port Vale in condemning incident that saw fan run onto the pitch and chase referee Craig Hicks during narrow defeat

Saturday 27 January 2024 19:41, UK

The EFL and PGMOL have issued a joint statement saying they are «appalled» by the incident which saw a fan ran onto the pitch and chase referee Craig Hicks during Port Vale's 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth.

Hicks ran off the pitch at Vale Park, with the fan apprehended by staff on the touchline as he attempted to confront the official.

The home fans had been furious as they felt they had a strong claim for a free-kick seconds before Colby Bishop's 88th-minute penalty, which kept Pompey at the top of League One.

A joint PGMOL and EFL statement read: «We are appalled by the incident in today's League One fixture between Port Vale and Portsmouth which saw referee Craig Hicks chased off the field of play and condemn the mindless actions of the individual involved.

»Match officials should never feel threatened for their safety when playing a pivotal role in the staging of games in our competitions.

«We will provide our full support to Craig and his team alongside Port Vale and the relevant authorities as they seek to bring this individual to justice.»

Sky Sports News has contacted Staffordshire Police.

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Port Vale had earlier issued a statement condemning the actions of the individual involved.

The statement read: «Port Vale condemn the actions of the individual who