Cardiff defender Krystian Bielik banned for two matches over Portsmouth incident

Cardiff City defender Krystian Bielik has been suspended for two matches and fined £10,000 after admitting a Football Association misconduct charge arising from an incident with a Portsmouth supporter. BBC Sport reported the punishment on Tuesday, following the altercation during Cardiff’s 2-0 Championship defeat at Fratton Park on 5 September.

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The FA said the charge concerned improper conduct around the 71st minute of the match. Bielik admitted the charge, and an independent regulatory commission decided the sanctions after a hearing. The governing body said it would publish the written reasons for the decision later; those reasons were not included in the announcement reported by the BBC.

The incident happened when Bielik approached the stands to retrieve the ball during the second half. AFP reported that footage showed a teenage supporter catching the ball and throwing it back towards the pitch before appearing to be pushed in the throat by the Poland international. The disciplinary announcement described the offence as misconduct.

A separate police investigation has already concluded. In a statement reproduced in Felix Keith’s report for Mirror Football, carried by AOL, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers had spoken to the complainant and examined the available evidence. The matter was resolved through an out-of-court disposal accepted by all parties, with Bielik providing an apology. Police said the case was closed and no further action would follow.

Bielik is now set to miss Cardiff’s trip to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and their home fixture against Watford on Tuesday, 13 October, according to BBC Sport. The two-match suspension therefore removes him from the Bluebirds’ next two Championship games, one away and one at home.

The absence comes with Cardiff 21st in the table after one win from their opening eight league matches following promotion, according to Keith’s report. The 28-year-old joined from West Bromwich Albion in the summer and has made seven appearances for Cardiff this season. The FA punishment follows the police resolution but represents the outcome of the separate football disciplinary process.