A fan died and two referees were attacked on the field as violence tainted Saturday's sporting programme..

Fulham fan Matthew Fox, 24 from Purley died from head injuries after trouble at the end of the Division Two game at Gillingham.

Two of the three men questioned by police have been released on bail.

And 14 men were arrested after scuffles broke out between rival football fans outside the Wool Exchange at about 5.30pm on Saturday after the match between Bradford City and Manchester City.

The incident at Gillingham has stunned the sporting world and came just hours after millions watched live on BBC's Grandstand as rugby league referee Stuart Cummings was attacked by a supporter at the end of the Salford v Sheffield Eagles Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi-final at Headingley.

And at Barnsley, the referee Gary Willard had to take refuge in his dressing room after home supporters invaded the pitch and rushed at the official.

Barnsley striker Jan Aage Fjortoft wrestled one invader to the ground, but the game was further marred as a pitch invasion ensued and the the Worthing official retreated to the safety of his room.

After the match, Willard locked himself in his room for two hours as an angry mob gathered outside the ground.

In response to the Headingly incident, the Rugby Football League said they will press charges against the Salford fan who is accused of assaulting referee Cummings.

Cummings was knocked to the ground after blowing the final whistle to signal Sheffield Eagles' dramatic 22-18 win over Salford. Viewers watched as Eagles players wrestled a supporter free of the match official, who received immediate treatment on the pitch.

Cummings was shaken but not seriously hurt and was able to walk to the dressing room.

Cummings said: "I was just shaking Mark Aston's hand when I was knocked to the ground. I was just shaken, that's all. I'm just thankful that the players were there to give me some protection. I don't want to say any more, it will be all be in my report."

Police arrested a man, who was released on bail pending further inquiries. The RFL have confirmed they will be asking police to press charges.

The match was marred by a number of minor invasions from spectators during play, and a total of four arrests were made for public order offences.

Barnsley and the Football Association, meanwhile, will both consider official reports before launching separate investigations into trouble at Oakwell.

Six supporters ran onto the pitch in protest at referee Willard dismissing three Barnsley players - while an angry mob waited outside the ground for over an hour.

Twice the match was stopped while stewards and players restrained fans attempting to confront Willard, who was led off the pitch mid-way through the second half for his own protection by stewards.

The incidents follow just a month after the jailing of a Sheffield United fan for assaulting a linesman at Portsmouth's Fratton Park ground and will be the subject of an official FA investigation

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has pledged to carry out a review of safety procedures at the club, following the death of a Fulham fan.

Scally, an FA council member and director of the Football League, described the death as "a terrible tragedy".

He said: "The Football Licensing Authority were at the game as was the safety officer of the Football Association and both commended us on the manner in which we handled the game internally.

"I can't comment on what occurred outside the ground but everyone at the club is obviously distressed and disappointed that such a tragic accident could have taken place. Our thoughts rest with the relatives and family of the dead man."

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