Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has urged the authorities to take action against the fan who attacked goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United last night.
The match was marred with unsavoury scenes both on and off the pitch as fans clashed after a number of abusive chants.
A handful of Leeds fans ran onto the pitch following Michael Tonge's equaliser, during which time Kirkland was assaulted, and Taylor believes that action needs to be taken in order to avoid a return to the days when hooliganism was rife in England.
"It was a very disturbing incident, and coming in the week with the trouble in Serbia and the attention on racism it's a time to be reminded that we need even more vigilance in football," Taylor told Press Association Sport.
"Football's with us every day of the year and it's important that we don't go back to the bad old days with supporters behind fences.
"There needs to be a full inquiry because of course players can be particularly vulnerable, especially goalkeepers. We need to see positive action from Leeds, the FA and the police."
The FA have already confirmed that they will investigate the fan's attack, while South Yorkshire police are looking into a number of incidents throughout the match.
Barney Corkhill
