Jack Grealish punched: EFL statement ‘condoned’ attack on Aston Villa star before correction issued on ‘mindless actions’

The Aston Villa midfielder was assaulted by a Birmingham City fan in the opening minutes of Sunday’s Second City derby

The English Football League pulled off one of the gaffes of the year after issuing a statement to say it “condones” a man punching Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish during the match against Birmingham City, instead of “condemns”.

The error, which appeared in the EFL’s official statement that was released around an hour after the incident took place, was soon corrected, but not before the statement was widely shared on social media.

But the Football League also criticised the actions of the individual with a strongly-worded statement that laid out in no uncertain terms how serious the matter was.

In the original statement, an EFL spokesman said: “The EFL condones the mindless actions of the individual who encroached on the pitch at St Andrews on Sunday afternoon.”

The address was soon updated to read “condemns”.

It added: “It’s a situation no player should ever be faced with.

“In all circumstances the playing surface is for players, not supporters and those playing in the game must be able to do so safe in the knowledge they will not be subjected to this type of behaviour.

“Whilst this incident falls within the remit of the Football Association, we will work with all the relevant parties to address the issue of player and match officials safety on the pitch and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”

The man, believed to be a Birmingham City supporter, was seen running onto the pitch and hitting Grealish from behind in the head, before being dragged away by security.

The disgraceful incident came in the ninth-minute of the Second City derby at St Andrews, and leaves Birmingham facing a Football Association investigation for failing to control their fans.

The EFL issued an incorrect statement 'condoning' the assault of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish (EFL)

West Midlands Police have confirmed that a man was arrested following the incident and has been taken into custody.

A post on the West Midlands Twitter account read: “ARREST: Following the incident on the pitch involving an attack on an Aston Villa player; a man has been arrested and en route to a custody block. Further details to follow.”

Grealish was punched by a man who ran on the field at St Andrews (Action Images)

Grealish did incredibly well to keep his composure and not react to the assault, and his teammates Glenn Whelan and Tammy Abraham initially confronted the attacker before thinking better of retaliating, with security eventually apprehending and removing him from the pitch.

And fate would have a fresh twist in the 67th minute when, of all people, Grealish rifled in a low left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat goalkeeper Lee Camp and put Villa ahead.