
Audio By Carbonatix
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was attacked by a supporter after the north London derby against Tottenham.
Television footage showed a Spurs fan trying to kick Ramsdale in the back after the Gunners' 2-0 win on Sunday.
The Professional Footballers' Association said "violence towards players is completely unacceptable".
"These incidents are happening far too often. Players have a right to be safe in their place of work," said a PFA statement.
"When a player is attacked, we expect the laws and regulations that are in place to protect players to be properly enforced.
"As the players' union, we treat this as a priority issue. We will continue working with the authorities to demand players and staff are better protected in their place of work."
Ramsdale, 24, was unhurt in the incident at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Spurs said the fan would face an "immediate ban".
"We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today's match," said a Spurs statement.
"Violence in any form has no place in football.
"The club has reviewed its CCTV footage to identify the supporter and will be working with the Met Police, Arsenal and Aaron Ramsdale to take the strongest possible action, including an immediate ban from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium."
Ramsdale had been instrumental as the Gunners won away at their nearest rivals to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
After the game, he went to gather his water bottle when a supporter from behind the goal housing Tottenham fans rushed forward and aimed a kick at the England international before climbing back over a number of rows of seats.
"It's a shame as it's just a game of football at the end of the day," said Ramsdale.
"Both sets of players tried to bring me away but thankfully nothing too drastic happened. It's a sour taste but I'm sure we will enjoy it when we go back into the dressing room.
"The Spurs fans gave me some throughout the game. I was giving some back. The people I did give it to greeted it in sportsmanlike terms but one fan tried to give me a little punch on the back."
A statement from the Football Association said: "We strongly condemn the incident involving a spectator that followed today's Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
"This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure the appropriate action is taken."
Tottenham defender Eric Dier added: "I didn't see it but obviously it is unacceptable and it shouldn't have happened. There's nothing more I can say."
Last week Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the UK's Football Policing Unit lead, said there is a "worrying level of disorder" at football matches after a report showed 999 arrests were made between 1 July and 31 December 2022, a 10% increase on the same period last year.
Last season - the 2021-22 campaign - there were 2,198 football-related arrests, the highest number since the 2013-14 season, according to Home Office figures.
Latest Stories
-
FDA warns public against consuming food recovered from floodwaters
28 minutes -
Keta Assembly to open Kedzi Azizadzi floodgates on Friday to ease flooding
31 minutes -
Teachers who accept rural postings to get study leave after two years – Education Minister
31 minutes -
Ghanaian’s death not connected to anti-immigration protests — Leader of Concerned Ghanaians in South Africa
38 minutes -
Conflicting reports on Ghanaian’s death in South Africa disturbing — Jinapor
49 minutes -
Ryanair warns of ‘queue chaos’ from new EU border system
51 minutes -
Akatsi South MCE calls for more support as 13 schools receive dual desks
52 minutes -
Ghana Sports Fund boss courts global support for youth sports development
55 minutes -
China says pilot crashed small plane into skyscraper for ‘personal reasons’
1 hour -
Police intercept 50,000 rounds of ammunition in Upper West, arrest three suspects
1 hour -
Vatican excommunicates hundreds of thousands of splinter sect followers
1 hour -
Access Plus Communications launches ‘Eye Focus App’ to broaden reach of AI-powered vision screening
1 hour -
Asiedu Nketiah urges African leaders to match economic rhetoric with action
1 hour -
24-Hour Economy Authority and Petrochemical Holdings GmbH partner to establish 2 projects in Ghana
1 hour -
Accra Floods: Greater Accra Minister directs MMDCEs to ensure fair distribution of relief items
1 hour