Revealed: How Premier League and TV broadcasters will further protect pundits amid fears ‘it is only a matter of time’ before ex-pro is attacked following Roy Keane altercation with Ipswich fan

A protective ‘ring of steel’ is to be deployed around pundits at football grounds amid a rise in instances of fan abuse.

Mail Sport understands that – following high level talks between broadcasters, the Premier League and clubs – security staff will be placed in front of gantries at grounds were they are positioned close to public areas.

The move comes amid concerns raised by insiders that it is ‘just a matter of time’ until a pundit is physically attacked. In recent times there have been a series of incidents in which pundits have been singled out for verbal and physical abuse.

Following Manchester United‘s 1-1 draw at Ipswich Roy Keane, who managed the home side, was consistently barracked as he worked on the pitch. Keane eventually confronted a group of fans and offered to meet one on the car park.

Keane had already been the subject of an attack in which he was headbutted in a corporate area at Arsenal last season.

A week after the Ipswich incident, Keane’s former United team-mate Gary Neville was singled out at Liverpool, where a fan continuously branded him a ‘Manc c***’. Footage of that incident was posted on social media.

Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane (centre) had a verbal exchange with a Ipswich fan last month

Keane had previously been assaulted by an Arsenal supporter during a match last season

Neville is due to return to Anfield early next month, when United take on Arne Slot’s league leaders.

Officials believe that the growth of social media has emboldened certain fans who see the presence of pundits nearby as an opportunity to make a name for themselves by posting videos of themselves hurling abuse and attempting to trigger a reaction.

There is a view that clubs where gantries are located among supporters – rather than high above them – can do more to tackle those involved.

Following talks between the league, clubs and broadcasters, it has been agreed that stewards will be situated close to at-risk gantries and will take action should anyone be found to have overstepped the mark. It is hoped that any subsequent punishments will act as a powerful deterrent. Those involved will be identified and could potentially have their season tickets confiscated. In the worst cases, witness accounts would aid criminal proceedings.

Mail Sport revealed last year that bodyguards have been brought in for certain matches after the incident with Keane at the Emirates, which saw a man handed a three-year banning order and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work for what a court heard was a ‘gratuitous and senseless act of violence’.

Sky carry out risk assessments on each fixture to asses whether there is a need for security staff to accompany pundits through public areas.