Nottingham Forest said the fan would be banned from the club for life.
A man has been arrested after Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp was assaulted after a rival fan ran onto the pitch on Tuesday night during an incident that left him needing stitches.
The incident happened after Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield 3-2 on penalties at home.
Nottinghamshire Police said that a 31-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and is to be questioned.
Head butted by a forest fan pic.twitter.com/Eicysravp6
— louiecrossley (@louiecrossley1) May 17, 2022
“Our enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing,” the force said.
“We have spoken to the player concerned and we are working with both clubs who are supporting us with our investigation.”
Footage of the incident showed a football fan charging at Sharp and knocking him to the ground.
The 36-year-old needed stitches after the attack, Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom said.
“It’s assault. We’ve seen one of our players attacked.
He’s shuck up, bleeding, angry. It’ll be dealt with.”
Hecky on Billy Sharp. pic.twitter.com/bgbLoFjr3s
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 17, 2022
“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.”
Nottingham Forest apologised to Sharp, who played for Forest on loan in the 2012-13 season, and said that the fan would be banned from the club for life.
— billy sharp (@billysharp10) May 18, 2022
In a statement, the club 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.”
Former Forest defender Michael Dawson, who was a pundit for Sky Sports at the City Ground, described the incident as “an absolute disgrace”.
