Police are investigating after Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp was assaulted by a fan after the club’s game with Nottingham Forest.
Footage showed Sharp, 36, being charged at by the supporter during a pitch invasion after Forest won 3-2 on penalties after the two legs finished 3-3 on aggregate.
Sharp was knocked to the ground and needed stitches after the attack, Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom said.
Image: Billy Sharp appears to be knocked to the ground by the man in the yellow shirt
“It’s assault,” Heckingbottom said.
“We’ve seen one of our players attacked. He’s shook up, bleeding, angry.
“Bill was minding his own business off the pitch, trying to get our players away. He was blindsided, it was cowardly. He was knocked to the ground (and required) stitches, he was shook up.”
Heckingbottom told Sky Sports: “There will be something done about that. We’ve seen what happened, we know what happened.”
Nottingham Forest issued a statement apologising to Sharp, who played for Forest on loan in the 2012-13 season, and warning that the fan would be banned from the club for life.
It said: “Nottingham Forest Football Club are appalled to learn that our former player, Billy Sharp, was assaulted leaving the pitch after tonight’s match at the City Ground.
“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 Football Club.”
Nottinghamshire Police are also investigating, and the force’s assistant chief constable Rob Griffin said: “Enquiries are under way to identify the offender and we will be looking to make an arrest as soon as possible.
“We have seen the footage, as many others will have who watched the televised match, and we are appealing for anyone who knows who the offender is to please get in contact with us as soon as possible.
“We have spoken to the player concerned and we are working with both clubs which are supporting us with our investigation which will continue through the night.
“Our extensive enquiries remain ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.”
Former Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson, who was pundit for Sky Sports at the City Ground described the incident as “an absolute disgrace”.
He told Sky Sports: “Too many people run on the pitch, we’ve spoken about Forest having a special night but Billy Sharp was standing there doing nothing wrong. And one stupid fan runs on and does that has spoilt everything. I hope Sharp is OK.
“It happens every year at the end of a season when one team has disappointment and one team has joy, I worry for the opposition when fans run on. It only takes one situation for someone to be really hurt.”
The incident overshadowed Forest’s win, where the Reds’ victory secured a play-off final showdown against Huddersfield on Sunday, 29 May at Wembley Stadium and the chance of a top-flight return for the first time since 1999.
