sport news Football's week of pitch invasion shame: FA launch probe and top cop predicts ... trends now
Eddie Howe fears football could be heading for a tragedy if it doesn't get tough and clamp down on pitch-invading supporters who have brought shame on the game.
The Newcastle manager delivered the stark warning after a week of ugly scenes that have marred matches across the country, culminating in a post-match altercation when Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was confronted and provoked into a furious reaction by an Everton-supporting yob on Thursday.
Following a recent spate of unsavoury incidents, Sportsmail can report:
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has called for action 'very quickly' to 'avert potential tragedy'
Matches have featured fans storming the pitch with emotions boiling over this week.
As well as the Goodison Park incident, Nottingham Forest's Championship play-off victory against Sheffield United also concluded with a pitch invasion — and a headbutt by a Forest fan during the melee left Blades striker Billy Sharp needing stitches.
Howe is concerned about his own safety as he prepares to take Newcastle to his former club Burnley, who will learn their relegation fate on Sunday and with Clarets fans expected to enter the pitch regardless of the outcome.
Howe and Newcastle know the dugouts are on the opposite side of the stadium to the tunnel, and are seeking urgent reassurance over security arrangements.
Howe said: 'We have to act very quickly because we want to avert potential tragedy. We have to find a way to guarantee that safety, to avert a potential disaster.
'We're going into dangerous territory where