The EFL have told clubs to increase the numbers of stewards and police on duty at play-off matches this season after players expressed fears of being seriously hurt during pitch invasions. 

In a comprehensive guidance document sent to the 72 clubs seen by Sportsmail, the EFL warn that ‘players and match officials are deeply concerned that it is only a matter of time before one of them is seriously hurt.’

The EFL’s intervention follows talks with players, managers and government officials in an attempt to avoid the crowd trouble that marred many of last season’s play-off games, with several clubs subsequently fined by the FA for failing to control their players. 

In the most disturbing incident Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp was assaulted in a pitch invasion by Nottingham Forest fans at the City Ground after they booked their place in the Championship play-off final, which led the EFL and Premier League to introduce mandatory one-year bans from stadiums last summer for any supporters invading the pitch.

There have been further disturbances this season however, with Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale kicked in the back by a Tottenham fan during January’s north London derby and Plymouth fans staging a mass pitch invasion after winning their Papa Johns Trophy semi-final against Cheltenham last month. 

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was kicked in the back by a Tottenham fan during January’s north London derby

A Watford supporter is dragged off the field by stewards during the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road

Plymouth fans staged a mass pitch invasion after winning their Papa Johns Trophy semi-final against Cheltenham last month

Read Related Also: Frank Lampard insists Chelsea needed to be more aggressive as they fell to defeat against Wolves

The end-of-season play-offs have been identified as high-risk fixtures by the EFL, while Burnley’s Championship match with Sheffield United next Monday is also seen as a potential flash point as Vincent Kompany’s side could seal promotion to the Premier League with a victory at Turf Moor.

In their briefing document the EFL are asking clubs to put in place a series of measures ahead of end-of-season fixtures at which promotion and relegation will be at stake, including:

• Appointing a specialist team of Pitch Protection Officers to guard the playing area;
• Ensuring any players or match officials who are abused by fans during games are singled out for additional protection;
• Briefing players and referees about their pitch invasion plans before every game, as well as staging pre-match training exercises for their stewards with local police; 
• Providing protection for broadcasters and ball kids.

‘We need to move away from almost an acquiescence that pitch incursions at the conclusion of the season are celebratory in nature and to be expected,’ the EFL document states. 

‘It is pretty clear that players and match officials are deeply concerned that it is only a matter of time before one of them is seriously hurt.’

Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp was headbutted by a pitch invader after their play-off semi-final defeat against Forest

Burnley’s Championship match with Sheffield United next Monday is seen as a potential flash point as Vincent Kompany’s side could seal promotion

The EFL advice is followed by a warning that clubs can expect to be fined by the FA if match specific plans are not put in place.

‘The FA independent regulatory panels [last season] found that in most cases there was a lack of match specific risk assessments and that pitch encroachment plans and steward deployments fell short of what is required,’ it says. 

‘The need for match specific risk assessments, including pitch incursion plans for the protection of players and match officials as well as the prevention of confrontations between rival supporters cannot be overstated. 

‘Clubs need to ensure they have the necessary safeguards in place, which will help provide some mitigation of the risks.’