A linesman was taken to hospital unconscious after being struck in the face by
a Sheffield United fan following the first half injury time sending off of
keeper Simon Tracey.
Tracey collided with Portsmouth's midfield player Sammy Igoe in the 44th
minute outside the area with the scores locked at 1-1.
Hertfordshire referee Mark Halsey went over to linesman Edward Martin from
Somerset to ask his opinion and it was on the advice of the assistant referee
that Tracey was sent off.
As defender Sean Derry put on Tracey's goalkeeping jersey and Portsmouth
prepared to take the free kick, Mr Martin slumped to the ground two yards inside
the pitch.
Stewards pounced on the culprit, a United fan in a replica shirt and held him
on the ground as medical men rushed to the aid of the stricken referee's
assistant.
He was taken unconscious away on a stretcher but came round in the ambulance
on the way to the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham.
Witnesses said that the fan had raced from his seat in the South Stand and
punched Mr Martin on the side of the head.
Mr Martin was later said to be better after treatment and was eager to return
home, apparently none the worse for his ordeal.
The incident marred the return of Alan Ball as Portsmouth's manager nine years
after he was sacked at the end of his first spell in charge.
Ball got a standing ovation from the crowd of 12,003 and he was rewarded by
bottom placed Pompey taking an 18th-minute lead.
Loan signing Steve Claridge crossed from the left and Australian international
Craig Foster slid a close range shot past Tracey.
United, with 12 players out injured, equalised in the 32nd minute in bizarre
circumstances.
Alan Knight, who kept goal for Ball during his first spell as manager, carried
a left wing centre from former Pompey team mate Lee Sandford over his own line.
Derry, signed this week from Notts County, had only one save in the second
half as Portsmouth attempted to make the extra man tell.
Substitute Matthias Svensson got in a powerful left foot shot which Derry, who
was well protected by his defence, turned away at full stretch.
FA spokesman Steve Double said: "It's obviously a very serious incident. We
will be making inquiries as to what happened and we will look at the referee's
report.
"We're concerned about the well-being of the linesman but we note the swift
action of the police in arresting the person involved.
"It's a particularly unpleasant incident. I can't remember anything like this
happening in recent times."
Teams:
Portsmouth: Knight, Pethick, Vlachoh, McLoughlin, Whitbread,
Awford, Igoe (Svensson 66), Foster, Durnin, Claridge, Carter.
Subs Not Used: Perrett, Cook.
Booked: Vlachoh.
Goals: Foster 18.
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Short, Sandford, Derry, Barrett, Holdsworth,
Saunders, Marker, Marcello, Stuart, Hutchison.
Subs Not Used: Katchouro, Cullen, Beard.
Sent Off: Tracey (44).
Booked: Sandford.
Goals: Knight 32 og.
Att: 12,003
Ref: M R Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).
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