Premier League greats Gary Neville and Roy Keane have shared their disgust over the assault of Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen by Manchester City fans.
City fans stormed the field following their side’s Premier League victory, confirmed with a 3-2 comeback win over Villa.
The championship celebrations were, however, marred after footage emerged of Villa keeper Robin Olsen copping multiple strikes and assaults as fans made their way onto the Etihad pitch.
Sky Sports pundits and former Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane erupted at the ‘idiotic’ behaviour in their post-game analysis.
Neville asked: “What is it happening?”
Advert
“The last 30 years we’ve brought the fences down in English football and 99 times out of 100, the fans have respected the fact that you don’t run on the pitch because they enjoy the family environment.
“We’ve obviously got far more children coming to the games, far more women coming to the games, and all of a sudden in these last few weeks and months, we’ve got these idiots not just running on the pitch but attacking players. What the hell are you doing?
“Running on the pitch is obviously delirious because City have won the league, so I get that, but attacking opposition players on the pitch - where has this come from? Why is it happening? I’ve got no idea. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Roy Keane - not known to mince his words - absolutely laid into the City fans, with fears that someone could be seriously hurt if the recent turn of events keep happening.
Advert
“It’s disgraceful. It really is and I tell you what — a player or a manager is going to be seriously injured," he said.
“If you’re mad enough to come on and punch a player, then you’re mad enough to come on and do something silly like stab a player. Something crazy will happen. People have come back from Covid and forgotten how to behave themselves.
“Idiots, scumbags. It’s a disgrace. We’ve seen it a couple of times at Forest and with Patrick Vieira. It’s absolutely disgraceful.”
This is the third high-profile incident in recent weeks with Crystal Palace manager Patrick Viera kicking an Everton fan after being harassed, and a Nottingham Forest fan violently head butting Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp.
Fortunately, Aston Villa confirmed that Olsen is ‘completely fine’ despite taking a hit to the back of the head, while Manchester City released their own statement on the incident.
Advert
The statement said: “Manchester City would like to sincerely apologise to Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who was assaulted after the final whistle at today’s match when fans entered the pitch.
“The Club has launched an immediate investigation and once identified, the individual responsible will be issued with an indefinite stadium ban.”
Topics: Aston Villa, Football, Gary Neville, Manchester City, Premier League, Roy Keane, Sky Sports
Jayden Collins