Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie has been accused of “stamping” on a Nottingham Forest fan during the Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday night.
Footage emerged on Wednesday of McBurnie appearing to tangle with a fan on the pitch, and a Nottingham Forest fan is heard saying “the Sheffield United player just stamped on him”.
It is not clear whether McBurnie connected with the supporter or not.
The Football Association is aware of the footage and is looking into it.
Sky Sports News has consulted several sources, including an eye-witness, to verify that the Sheffield United player involved is McBurnie.
On Wednesday evening, McBurnie endorsed a tweet by a Sheffield United fan that said: “Wish that video was in full context – looks more like he was trying to step over him with one bad leg! Could be wrong!”
McBurnie replied with a “100” emoji, which is often used on social media to mean “100%”.
Sky Sports News has also approached McBurnie’s representatives for comment but they are yet to respond.
Police seek owner of footage
Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the incident and in a statement issued to Sky Sports News, Inspector Andy Wright said: “We have been made aware of a video circulating on social media showing a possible altercation where a Forest fan can be seen on the ground following the play-off semi-final.
“We have now started an investigation into this incident.
“The person in question has not yet reported the incident but would urge them to come forward along with any other persons who many have witnessed the incident or have video footage so we can establish the full circumstances.
“We would particularly appeal to the owner of the original footage to make contact.”
“Fan illegally enters the pitch”
Sheffield United’s assistant kit man Adam Geelan gave his version of events on Twitter, saying: “Fan illegally enters the pitch provokes and tries to push Rian (Brewster) he [sic] defends himself and the kid falls on Oli’s broken foot can clearly see there’s no stamp, ridiculous post especially when stewards and police were stood there watching it happen and was left to ourselves [sic] to defend.”
This tweet was ‘liked’ by McBurnie.
Nottingham Forest fans invaded the pitch after their victory over Sheffield United on penalties on Tuesday, earning them a place in the Championship play-off final.
Neither Sheffield United nor Nottingham Forest have commented on the incident.
During that pitch invasion, Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp was attacked by a fan, and a man was arrested on Wednesday.
Sharp, who was left needing stitches in his head, has called the man responsible “a mindless idiot”
