Man Arrested After Sheffield United Player Headbutted During Nottingham Forest Pitch Invasion
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A man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp after the Championship semi-final.
Last night, at Nottingham Forest's play-off match, the team won 3-2 on a penalty shootout.
However, footage showed that soon after the match ended, fans flooded the field and Billy Sharp was knocked to the ground.
A 31-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of assault.
Forest fan headbutts Sheffield United’s billy sharp pic.twitter.com/vQ98GP4YNu
— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) May 17, 2022
Footage posted to Twitter appears to show a man in a yellow t-shirt barreling his way towards Sharp, before he 'headbutts' him, causing him to fall to the floor.
Paul Heckingbottom, manager of Sheffield United, stated: "It’s assault. We’ve seen one of our players attacked. He’s shuck up, bleeding, angry. It’ll be dealt with."
He claimed Sharp required stitches after the attack.
Heckingbottom told Sky Sports he's sure there will be a 'prison sentence' for the suspect involved in the alleged assault.
He said: "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.
"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."
“It’s assault. We’ve seen one of our players attacked.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 17, 2022
He’s shuck up, bleeding, angry. It’ll be dealt with.”
Hecky on Billy Sharp. pic.twitter.com/bgbLoFjr3s
Nottingham Forest Football Club said it was 'appalled' its former player was 'assaulted leaving the pitch after tonight’s match at The City Ground'.
The statement continued: "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."
Michael Dawson, a former Nottingham Forest defender, told Sky Sports the incident was 'an absolute disgrace'.
He said: "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."
🗞 Club Statement
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) May 17, 2022
🌳🔴 #NFFC
Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy stated the 31-year-old suspect remains in custody and is set to be questioned by officers.
He concluded: "Our inquiries 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."
