Sounds like data corruption during update, what version of IOS have you got on your iPod?
Have you tried power down the iPad and power it on again and see if the problem still present?
Maybe try to start the game with WiFi turned off and see if it can startup normal and then switch the WiFi back on.
If you can then this will be a good time to have your email registered with EA to save your progress and do take a screenshot or make a note of your player ID as your might need it to help recovering your account in the future.
If same problem still present, you might need to do a re-install as a last resort but before doing this you might want to have some form of backup (either with Game Center or with iTunes) if you do not know your player ID.
Is there enough room in your storage?
I had a similar problem with an android device and i uninstalled it then reinstalled which worked.
As eieio says, i hope you have screenshotted your player id number and also signed up with EA's email registration scheme before doing this.
I've done all of this but since its an idevice it's not as easy to fix this type of issue that way I have reset the whole ipod n tried the game without wifi itll load then crash
I do not believe this problem is isolated, I have seen many players with iPod reporting similar issue, my guess is that the latest PVZ update is not fully compatible with some iPods loaded with latest IOS, the problem is that EA will blame Apple's latest IOS and Apple will say their device works perfectly with other Apps so it is EA who creates the issue, and unfortunately you are getting stuck in the middle.
Bottom line, you can report this fault to both EA and Apple but I would not hold my breath.
Edit. mistypes
Thank u that actually sounds about right to be honest cheers for that 👍
