There were possibly hundreds of 'stewards/security' sat in position pitch side maybe 20 mins before the final whistle. They were almost shoulder to shoulder standing at the end of the game and could do nothing to stop hundreds of determined fans from accessing the pitch. The club had obviously factored in the pitch invasion scenario but 'stewards/security' personnel are not trained for that mass event nor are they particularly enthusiastic of entering into physical combat, perhaps not legally empowered either for the latter.
A police line, however, would have prevented and deterred any pitch invasion. Expensive but a practical solution, unlike points deduction. As has already been pointed out a points deduction could easily be 'engineered' by rival fans. Also, how many 'invading' fans would constitute such an event and subsequent points deduction, 6, 20, 50,100 fans? How many would the points deduction be? I point per invading fan? Points deduction a nonsense.
Installing fencing would mean that the lower rows of seating would have obstructed views. Even removable fencing would be hazardous in an emergency.
Easiest, most practical and effective way is to employ police as pitch perimeter guardians. Costly, yes. But the only answer. One police officer would be more effective than say 10 security people.
It is, unfortunately, only a matter of time with pitch invasions before somebody is seriously injured either by some character, who is 'fired' up by incidents in the game, or somebody who sets out with deliberate malicious intent.
