Weekend pitch invasions in England and Scotland have raised fears for player safety with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action was taken to tackle the problem and the governing FA saying a line had been crossed.

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor said there was real concern after "cowardly and criminal" attacks on players by spectators running onto the field of play.

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a man in a Championship (second tier) game at local rivals Birmingham City while Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was shoved at Arsenal.

In Scotland, Rangers captain James Tavernier was attacked at Hibernian.

Individuals have been charged in relation to all three incidents.

"We have seen an increase in such behaviour at clubs this season. It's been racist abuse, anti-Semitism and now its real fear for the safety of players," Taylor told Sky Sports News television.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-fan-arrested-for-pitch-invasion-during-arsenals-goal-celebration-against-manchester-united-202515">Also read:&nbsp;Fan arrested for pitch invasion during Arsenal's goal celebration against Manchester United</a>

"We have been warned now on too many occasions. This has got to be dealt with by the football bodies, the police, the stewards and the clubs. There is a total responsibility.

"We have got to address it now. If not, it is going to be too late and there is going to be a tragedy."

The English Football Association condemned Sunday's incidents as entirely unacceptable.

"We will be working with the clubs, the leagues and the police to discuss what collectively needs to be done to protect players and officials on the pitch," it added.

The FA said it had also written to Birmingham City and Arsenal for their observations and details of the security measures they had in place.

Sports Minister Mims Davies had earlier called on the football authorities and clubs to take strong action.

"Protecting&nbsp;players'&nbsp;safety is of paramount importance and every possible step must be taken to ensure that they are not put at risk," she added in a statement.

FAN RESPONSIBILITY

Taylor mentioned a range of possible options, including fines, points deductions and playing behind closed doors and said spectators also needed to be educated about the consequences of their behaviour.

Rangers' manager, and former England captain, Steven Gerrard said there was 'huge concern' and agreed fans had to play their part.

"Fans have to take responsibility and think before they do these type of things, because if it continues someone is going to get hurt and hurt badly, and no-one wants it to get to that stage," he told reporters.

With rising knife crime and deaths from stabbings in the headlines, former England striker Alan Shearer feared an escalation.

"If we don't stamp it out now, next time it could be a knife," he warned in the Sun newspaper.

"It's that serious. Where are we at in football when some thug thinks that is what he is going to do? The football authorities have to be seen to nail Birmingham for the behaviour of their fan," he added.

Other cautioned that points deductions imposed on clubs for the behaviour of their fans could encourage others to fake allegiance in order to sabotage a rival side.

Fences were common at English grounds in the 1970s and 1980s in response to an epidemic of pitch invasions but were removed after 96 fans were crushed to death in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.

Weekend pitch invasions in England and Scotland have raised fears for player safety with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action was taken to tackle the problem and the governing FA saying a line had been crossed.

Weekend pitch invasions in England and Scotland have raised fears for player safety with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action was taken to tackle the problem and the governing FA saying a line had been crossed. Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor said there was real concern after "cowardly and criminal" attacks on players by spectators running onto the field of play. Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a man in a Championship (second tier) game at local rivals Birmingham City while Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was shoved at Arsenal. In Scotland, Rangers captain James Tavernier was attacked at Hibernian. Individuals have been charged in relation to all three incidents. "We have seen an increase in such behaviour at clubs this season. It's been racist abuse, anti-Semitism and now its real fear for the safety of players," Taylor told Sky Sports News television. Also read: Fan arrested for pitch invasion during Arsenal's goal celebration against Manchester United "We have been warned now on too many occasions. This has got to be dealt with by the football bodies, the police, the stewards and the clubs. There is a total responsibility. "We have got to address it now. If not, it is going to be too late and there is going to be a tragedy." The English Football Association condemned Sunday's incidents as entirely unacceptable. "We will be working with the clubs, the leagues and the police to discuss what collectively needs to be done to protect players and officials on the pitch," it added. The FA said it had also written to Birmingham City and Arsenal for their observations and details of the security measures they had in place. Sports Minister Mims Davies had earlier called on the football authorities and clubs to take strong action. "Protecting players' safety is of paramount importance and every possible step must be taken to ensure that they are not put at risk," she added in a statement. FAN RESPONSIBILITY Taylor mentioned a range of possible options, including fines, points deductions and playing behind closed doors and said spectators also needed to be educated about the consequences of their behaviour. Rangers' manager, and former England captain, Steven Gerrard said there was 'huge concern' and agreed fans had to play their part. "Fans have to take responsibility and think before they do these type of things, because if it continues someone is going to get hurt and hurt badly, and no-one wants it to get to that stage," he told reporters. With rising knife crime and deaths from stabbings in the headlines, former England striker Alan Shearer feared an escalation. "If we don't stamp it out now, next time it could be a knife," he warned in the Sun newspaper. "It's that serious. Where are we at in football when some thug thinks that is what he is going to do? The football authorities have to be seen to nail Birmingham for the behaviour of their fan," he added. Other cautioned that points deductions imposed on clubs for the behaviour of their fans could encourage others to fake allegiance in order to sabotage a rival side. Fences were common at English grounds in the 1970s and 1980s in response to an epidemic of pitch invasions but were removed after 96 fans were crushed to death in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster.

Pitch invasions raise fears for player safety

A trio of thundering headers gave England a thumping victory over their oldest foes as Scotland put up a fight before being swept aside 3-0 in Friday&#39;s World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Daniel Sturridge&#39;s bullet header in the first half and equally impressive efforts after the break from Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill ensured England emerged from international football&#39;s oldest fixture having consolidated their lead at the top of Group F.

While it was not the one-sided romp the scoreline suggests and England only pulled clear in the second half having survived some nervy moments, the result will have strengthened interim boss Gareth Southgate&#39;s chances of claiming the role on a permanent basis.

With his side having moved onto 10 points from four matches, two clear of nearest rivals Slovenia, Southgate now looks almost certain to be appointed the permanent replacement to Sam Allardyce.

&quot;Tonight is down to the players they have shown what they are capable of,&quot; he told reporters -- although he was equally keen to stress his side had almost been the architects of their own downfall when Scotland put them under pressure in the second half.

For his counterpart Gordon Strachan, though, the future looks increasingly bleak, his side sitting second bottom in the standings with four points.

However, he was adamant, that he would not be rushed into decisions about his role.

&quot;If you think I&#39;m thinking about myself now, or worrying about myself, you don&#39;t know me,&quot; was his response to questions about his future.

Strachan had made sweeping changes to the side that lost to Slovakia in their previous qualifier and had clearly set his team up to make England uncomfortable and it was a game plan that worked to perfection until 24th minute.

A sprawling Scottish defender blocked Raheem Sterling&#39;s shot, but the ball fell kindly for Kyle Walker whose driven cross was angled superbly into the net by a stooping Sturridge.

Having broken the visitors&#39; resistance, England conspired to hand them a route back into the match two minutes later and would have been pegged back had Scotland defender Grant Hanley not headed hopelessly over the bar when completely unmarked.

That was the first of a series of let-offs for England, who survived two heart-in-mouth moments at the start of the second half when James Forrest pulled a shot hideously wide from 10 metres and Robert Snodgrass had one blocked from a similar range.

Within moments, however, England put the encounter to bed showing the sort of quality in front of goal Scotland had lacked, as Danny Rose&#39;s cross from the left found Lallana on the penalty spot to head powerfully past Craig Gordon.

England&#39;s third arrived on 60 minutes as Wayne Rooney&#39;s corner found Cahill, who flashed his near-post header past Gordon and into the far corner.

The defeat was already ensured, but England should have rubbed further salt into Scotland&#39;s wounds but Sterling somehow scooped his finish over from almost under the cross bar.

(Reuters)

Sturridge's bullet header in the first half and equally impressive headers from Lallana and Cahill handed England a 3-0 win

A trio of thundering headers gave England a thumping victory over their oldest foes as Scotland put up a fight before being swept aside 3-0 in Friday's World Cup qualifier at Wembley. Daniel Sturridge's bullet header in the first half and equally impressive efforts after the break from Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill ensured England emerged from international football's oldest fixture having consolidated their lead at the top of Group F. While it was not the one-sided romp the scoreline suggests and England only pulled clear in the second half having survived some nervy moments, the result will have strengthened interim boss Gareth Southgate's chances of claiming the role on a permanent basis. With his side having moved onto 10 points from four matches, two clear of nearest rivals Slovenia, Southgate now looks almost certain to be appointed the permanent replacement to Sam Allardyce. "Tonight is down to the players they have shown what they are capable of," he told reporters -- although he was equally keen to stress his side had almost been the architects of their own downfall when Scotland put them under pressure in the second half. For his counterpart Gordon Strachan, though, the future looks increasingly bleak, his side sitting second bottom in the standings with four points. However, he was adamant, that he would not be rushed into decisions about his role. "If you think I'm thinking about myself now, or worrying about myself, you don't know me," was his response to questions about his future. Strachan had made sweeping changes to the side that lost to Slovakia in their previous qualifier and had clearly set his team up to make England uncomfortable and it was a game plan that worked to perfection until 24th minute. A sprawling Scottish defender blocked Raheem Sterling's shot, but the ball fell kindly for Kyle Walker whose driven cross was angled superbly into the net by a stooping Sturridge. Having broken the visitors' resistance, England conspired to hand them a route back into the match two minutes later and would have been pegged back had Scotland defender Grant Hanley not headed hopelessly over the bar when completely unmarked. That was the first of a series of let-offs for England, who survived two heart-in-mouth moments at the start of the second half when James Forrest pulled a shot hideously wide from 10 metres and Robert Snodgrass had one blocked from a similar range. Within moments, however, England put the encounter to bed showing the sort of quality in front of goal Scotland had lacked, as Danny Rose's cross from the left found Lallana on the penalty spot to head powerfully past Craig Gordon. England's third arrived on 60 minutes as Wayne Rooney's corner found Cahill, who flashed his near-post header past Gordon and into the far corner. The defeat was already ensured, but England should have rubbed further salt into Scotland's wounds but Sterling somehow scooped his finish over from almost under the cross bar. (Reuters)

World Cup qualifier: England record a heady win against Scotland

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Pitch invasions raise fears for player safety

World Cup qualifier: England record a heady win against Scotland