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Goalkeeper escorted off pitch by security after ‘punching a fan’ during non league match

Goalkeeper Joe Wright ended up being escorted off pitch by security after ‘punching a fan’ during a non league match at the weekend.

According to Essex Live, boos could be heard as the 33 year old Enfield Town keeper made his way down towards the tunnel with a match official, security and staff from the hosts Chelmsford City, who won 3-0.

Neither club have issued a statement or responded to repeated requests for a comment from media outlets regarding the incident, with the game stopped on the 74th minute.

Chelmsford City alleged the goalkeeper “has just hit someone in the crowd”, then added “we have video evidence of Joe Wright punching a fan”.

Enfield Town tweeted: “74′ | The ref has stopped the game here in unsavoury circumstances – there’s clearly been some words exchanged between Wright and the Chelmsford fans, who have thrown a missile in his direction. 🟪⬜️ CCFC 2-0 ETFC 🟨🟦”

EssexLive put up a photo in their article, showing security staff wearing high-visibility jackets lined up behind the goal for the rest of the game. They added that the Football Association (FA) are to review the match official’s report on the fixture. Essex Police meanwhile state they had not received any reports of criminality.

Chelmsford City were 2-0 up at the time through goals from Lyle Taylor and Archie Tamplin, before Antony Papadopolous added a third for the Clarets with 2,220 fans in attendance.

The result meant that Chelmsford sit 10th in the National League South with 67 points from 41 games played, 2 points from the playoff places. Enfield Town are 23rd with 36 points from 42 games played, and 8 points from safety.

Credit – Essex Live / Matt Lee

Credit – EssexLive

Social media users gave their reaction on the goalkeeper escorted off pitch by security after ‘punching a fan’ during the non league match…

@Goalkeepersofn1: Lets here Joe wrights side of events before judging keepers being so close to the crowds are often subjected to vile abuse! And it’s not like they can run away

@MLovett1: People love to give abuse to keepers. Some of it goes well beyond what is acceptable. On a human level if someone spoke to you like that on the street you would react that way. Can’t blame him for doing the same on a pitch. From personal experience that crowd ain’t pleasant

@Goalkeepersofn1: Some of the things supporters say and get away with is a disgrace

@MLovett1: It’s beyond acceptable. I am surprised this don’t happen more often. People are cowards as they feel they can say what they want and there is no consequence. Don’t know what was said to provoke him, but I can understand his reaction

@KeelyAllan: As a parent of a young GK on loan in the NLS the abuse he has been subjected to by grown men is disgusting and vile – but it all gets swept under the carpet as football banter. The abuse is real and personal and wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else.

@SteveBa99880334: Totally agree, although he’s gonna get hammered by the FA I can only imagine what was said to him. I heard things said to a keep i worked with for the last 2 years that were absolutely abhorrent 😡😡😡

@AdesSurrey: Agreed he’s well out of order- but there’s too many fans at this level who think players are fair game – and that they can do and say whatever they like with zero consequence. If you wouldn’t do or say it in the street to their face, don’t expect that you can do so at a game.

@BringSpursHome: It’s no surprise the police ordered Chelmsford to implement crowd segregation due to behaviour issues by their fans. They can’t control their supporters when segregated. I’d say they need to shut the standing areas down until they get their fanbase in order

@ClaretCroch: Fan was 100% wrong for the hair touch, but the keeper had time to walk away. Deciding to turn back and swing. Can’t use self-defence as an excuse.

@C_Rolfe81: After seeing the video, I’d be surprised if Wright stays. You can’t be punching opposition fans no matter what’s said.

@CHLMNotEnglish: the blokes a prick for touching the keeper but the keeper punching him in the face to the point he fell over is ridiculous, how hes not got a red is ridiculous

@Stockage83: Wright will be in big trouble & deservedly so. He’d been biting on verbals all game & clearly that wound him up adding to the over reaction when hands were laid on him. But, a cardinal rule for fans is never lay hands on players. It’s inviting trouble, as this fan found out.

@Love_non_league: Our “Nortei Nortey” Award today goes to Joe Wright of @ETFCOfficial for appearing to tangle with an opposition fan 😬

@Joseph_Oakman19: That’s not on at all, Joe Wright should be suspended and his contract terminated

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