Quite apart from the dangers created by pitch invasions if they turn ugly, having fans on the pitch at the end of matches – even joyous ones – kills some of the pleasure the players will feel in winning a big game.
When I think back to my best moments in football, beating Arsenal in the FA Cup final or winning the UEFA Cup, I have wonderful memories of standing on the pitch with my team-mates in front of thousands of supporters, all singing You’ll Never Walk Alone together.
I would have been deprived of those moments if the fans were all on the pitch.