A non-league goalkeeper was caught on camera appearing to punch a rival fan during a match on Friday before being escorted off the pitch.
Joe Wright, playing in goal for Enfield Town in their National League South game against Chelmsford City, was seen turning around to the rival supporters standing directly behind him.
The 29-year-old was gathering the ball to take a goal kick before abruptly changing direction and appeared to throw a punch with his right hand in the direction of a fan.
Wright then turned back towards the pitch nonchalantly before preparing to restart play, although there was then a seven-minute delay in the action. The incident was not seen by the referee or the linesman and he was not sent off, according to a match report on Enfield’s website.
In the footage of the incident, widely shared online after it was captured from the stands at Dunmow Group Community Stadium, there were audible gasps from those watching on in a crowd of 2,200.
Essex police confirmed to Daily Mail Sport that the force were not called to the ground or deployed.
Footage is alleged to show Enfield Town goalkeeper Joe Wright ‘punching a fan’
Wright (centre) was not sent off but was given a security escort off the pitch after full-time
A post on X from Chelmsford City accused Joe Wright of punching a fan and the message has since been deleted
Security staff in high visibility jackets were positioned behind the goal for the rest of the match after the incident and Wright was escorted down the tunnel after the game, according to Essex Live.
Both clubs referenced it on their social media accounts before deleting the messages.
The official X account for Enfield Town claimed: ‘The ref has stopped the game here in unsavoury circumstances.
‘There’s clearly been some words exchanged between Wright and the Chelmsford fans, who have thrown a missile in his direction.’
Chelmsford City FC, who went on to win the game 3-0, wrote: ‘We have video evidence of Joe Wright punching a fan,’ in a now-deleted post.
The FA are set to investigate, with Essex Live reporting that the governing body are examining the referees report into the game.
Chelmsford City and Enfield Town have been contacted for a response.
