Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Sky Sports News
Topics: EFL Championship, Football, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Australia
Jayden Collins
Topics: EFL Championship, Football, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Australia
Police have arrested a man after Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp appeared to be head-butted by a fan at the end of their Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The disgraceful scenes occurred at the end of the semi-final second leg when celebrations broke out following Forest's 3-2 penalty shootout win over The Blades, after the tie had ended 3-3 after extra-time.
Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba miraculously saved the deciding penalty from Morgan Gibbs-White triggering a barrage of fans entering the pitch in wild scenes.
Footage soon emerged of one fan dressed in bright yellow heading straight towards Sharp before knocking him to the ground.
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Sharp, who played for Forest in the 2013-14 season, reportedly required stitches after the incident.
Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed that a man has now been arrested.
Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy of Nottinghamshire Police said: "A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with this incident. He remains in custody and will be questioned by officers.
"Our enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. We have spoken to the player concerned and we are working with both clubs who are supporting us with our investigation."
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Speaking after the match, Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom called for the fan to be jailed.
He told Sky Sports: “There's a prison sentence there for sure. We're seeing things thrown on the pitch and things that are thrown on putting players' health and safety in danger and nothing's ever done about it.
"There will be something done about that. We've seen what's happened, we know what’s happened."
He continued: “How can you come to a place of work minding your own business and be assaulted in that fashion? It’s just bang out of order and it’s everything that’s wrong. Too many times we hear people condemn it, but nothing’s done about it. We’re the ones that suffered.
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“It’s assault. We’ve seen one of our players attacked. He’s shuck up, bleeding, angry. It’ll be dealt with. It’s upsetting for a lot of reasons - I don’t want to say too much more about it. He’ll be dealt with.”
Nottingham Forest released a statement about the incident, apologising to Sharp and their opponents on the night.
They said: “The club will work with the authorities to locate the individual in order they are held to account for their actions, which will include a life ban from Nottingham Forest.
“The club would also like to apologise to Billy personally and to Sheffield United.”
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The incident threatens to overshadow a memorable night for Forest, who will now face Huddersfield in the Championship play-off final on May 29.