Police investigating an alleged on-pitch attack on Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp have charged a 30-year-old man with assault. Robert Biggs, of Derbyshire, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and going on to the playing area at a football match, Nottinghamshire police said.
Sharp was knocked to the ground near the touchline at the City Ground at the end of his team’s Championship play-off semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The incident, left Sharp needing medical treatment.
Rob Griffin, assistant chief constable of Nottinghamshire police said: “I am pleased we have now charged a suspect in connection with this assault. This is a result of hard work done throughout the night and today involving numerous police departments.
“We continue to work closely with both football clubs who are supporting our investigation. Cases such as this will hopefully serve as a deterrent to anyone thinking of getting involved in violent disorder at football matches.”
Biggs is in custody and is due to appear at Nottingham magistrates court on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire police and the Football Association are investigating video footage that appears to show Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie stamping on a Forest fan when supporters invaded the pitch. A video circulating on social media shows McBurnie, sidelined through injury, tangling with a fan who had fallen to the ground.
The FA confirmed that it was looking into the matter, and inspector Andy Wright of Nottinghamshire police 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. The person in question has not yet reported the incident, but we would urge them to come forward along with any other persons who may 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.”
Neither club has commented on the incident. On Wednesday, McBurnie responded to a message on Twitter, posted by a Sheffield United fan, which 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 endorsed the tweet with a “100” emoji – taken to mean he agreed 100% – but said nothing else. He also “liked” a tweet posted by the club’s assistant kit man Adam Geelan, which said: “Fan illegally enters the pitch provokes and tries to push Rian [sic – Rhian (Brewster)] he 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 to defend.”