The Football Association has charged Cardiff City defender Krystian Bielik with misconduct over an altercation involving Portsmouth supporters, but the police investigation into the same incident has been concluded and no further action will be taken.
In a statement, the FA said: “It’s alleged that the player [Bielik] acted in an improper manner around the 71st minute of the match.” The flashpoint came during Cardiff’s 2-0 Championship defeat at Portsmouth on Saturday, 5 September. The Poland international has been given until Friday, 25 September to respond to the charge.
Hampshire Police were notified of the incident during the match and launched an investigation immediately afterwards. That inquiry has now been closed. A police statement read: “Following an incident involving a Portsmouth FC supporter and a Cardiff player at Fratton Park on 5 September 2026, we have now concluded our investigation. After speaking with the complainant and reviewing all available evidence, the matter has been resolved by way of an out-of-court disposal, agreed by all parties involved. As part of this resolution, an apology has been provided by the player. The matter is now considered closed, and no further action will be taken in relation to this incident.” Cardiff City have been asked to comment.
The incident occurred as the 28-year-old Bielik went to retrieve a ball from the crowd late in the second half and became involved in a physical altercation with a fan. Several Portsmouth supporters made gestures indicating they believed the fan had been grabbed by the throat. Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy claimed afterwards that Bielik “got slapped in the face”, while clips circulating on social media appeared to show the Poland international grabbing a young fan around his upper body.
In the aftermath, another fan threw a ball at the head of Cardiff defender Perry Ng. Both supporters were ejected from the stadium. Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho apologised to Cardiff City’s players after the game, and in the days that followed, having been shown the footage, said he was “absolutely furious” at the position he says he was put in over the incident.