Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho has apologised to Cardiff City players after an incident involving home fans at Fratton Park.

In the 72nd minute of Portsmouth’s 2-0 Championship win over the Bluebirds, Cardiff defender Krystian Bielik got into a physical altercation with a fan as he went to retrieve a ball.

Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy claimed afterwards that Bielik “got slapped in the face”, while clips circulating on social media appeared to show the Poland international grabbing a young fan around his upper body.

In the aftermath, another fan threw a ball at the head of Cardiff defender Perry Ng, which resulted in both fans being ejected from the stadium.

Speaking after the match, Pompey boss Mousinho said: “The referee said that, as Krystian went to get the ball, there was a little bit of a kerfuffle and one of the supporters struck him.

“It wasn’t a good incident. I have just seen him there, and he was ok, but that’s not the point, we can’t be having that.

“We want to create a really difficult atmosphere at Fratton Park, we have done that successfully over the past few years.

“Sometimes it tips over, I understand that, I don’t think it needs to tip over to that extent.

“We extend our apologies to the players, Cardiff and make sure we can try to cut it out.”

Cardiff boss Barry-Murphy described the incident as “not acceptable”, but applauded the officials for their handling of the situation.

“Krystian went to get the ball back from the stands and got slapped in the face,” said Barry-Murphy.

“I just wanted to make sure he was protected and make sure he was ok. He is.

“I thought the referee and his staff handled the incident impeccably.

“I think the players are always subjected to different things, it’s not acceptable what happens.

“They don’t expect that sort of treatment. My job is to protect the players but really my focus is on trying to make sure that we play well and win.

“So I’m sure the club and the FA (Football Association) will look at this and implement the correct process.”