Cardiff supporting Bielik amid death threats claim

Key points

• Cardiff City defender Krystian Bielik has turned to a psychologist after alleged death threats following an altercation with a Portsmouth fan.
• Bielik admitted a misconduct charge, was fined £10,000 and banned for two matches, and will return this weekend.
• Manager Brian Barry-Murphy said the club is giving Bielik and his family full support.

Cardiff City's Krystian Bielik has turned to a psychologist to deal with alleged death threats after his controversial altercation with a Portsmouth fan. The incident occurred during the game at Fratton Park last month.

Bielik, a 28-year-old Polish defender, admitted a charge of misconduct for grabbing the young supporter by the shoulder. He was fined £10,000 and given a two-match ban, and is set to return this weekend.

Club support for Bielik

Manager Brian Barry-Murphy said Cardiff City, including club psychologist Dr Mikel Mellick, are helping Bielik cope with the fallout. "Yeah [we've spoken to him], just to make sure he's okay," Barry-Murphy said.

Barry-Murphy added that Bielik has had full support from all departments to reassure him and his family. The Bluebirds have an in-house support team led by Mellick, who is also a principal lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Yeah [we've spoken to him], just to make sure he's okay

— Brian Barry-Murphy

Investigation and lessons

A Hampshire Police investigation into the flashpoint concluded no further action was needed, with Bielik issued a community resolution order. He also sent a written apology to the fan before being charged by the Football Association.

Barry-Murphy provided a character reference and witness statement for Bielik's independent regulatory commission hearing. He said Bielik apologised and the FA followed its process, and that all players are aware of expectations but are not robots and may make mistakes.