Ex-PGMOL chief: Cardiff City's Krystian Bielik set for 'five-game ban or longer'

Krystian Bielik could be handed a hefty suspension after the Cardiff City star clashed with a young Portsmouth fan at the weekend.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes the FA will "set an example" with the former Birmingham City midfielder.

The Bluebirds fell to a 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park on Saturday, 5 September, and was instantly in the spotlight after a confrontation on the sidelines.

In the 72nd minute, when attempting to take the ball off a young home fan, Bielik appeared to grab them around the throat before being struck back.

While the 28-year-old was not cautioned for the incident, the Pompey supporter was asked to leave, baffling supporters all over the English Football League.

Now, the FA are being backed to take retrospective action, not allowing a player to step over the mark without receiving the appropriate punishment.

Krystian Bielik 'reminds you of Eric Cantona'

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes it is only a matter of time before the FA take action.

Speaking on Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness stated that a five-game ban is likely to be the minimum sanction for Bielik at the Cardiff City Stadium.

"It gives you memories of Eric Cantona, but not quite as bad as Eric and his Kung Fu kick. I've tried to analyse the event," he said.

"The footage isn't always conclusive on it, and I've had a look at it a few times. I would expect them to be made an example of, though.

"I think we could be looking at something like a five-game ban, something as serious as that, and it could even be more. But look, it's something that players have got to understand.

"It's part of the British game that fans have that proximity. So they've also got a part to play. Cardiff have also got a part to play in controlling fans and educating fans.

"The FA may make an example of this because of the timing of it at the start of the season, and they'll want to set some guidelines pretty clearly.

"It's disappointing, but players are human. I have sympathy for them."

What did Brian Barry-Murphy say about the incident?

Unsurprisingly, Brian Barry-Murphy wanted to protect his player, rather than condemn his action after the whistle at Fratton Park.

“Krystian went to get the ball back from the stands and got slapped in the face. I wanted to make sure he (Bielik) was protected and make sure he was okay, he is,” Barry-Murphy told reporters.

"I thought the referee and his staff handled the incident impeccably and felt really sure by him that the correct process would take place, and that was it, really."

Bielik has only started two of Cardiff's first five games back in the Championship, so his absence would not be a huge blow.

Still, his experience in the squad would be missed.