Search icon

Football

23rd Jun 2022

Sheffield United players charged by police following play-off semi final incidents

Callum Boyle

Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster were both charged

Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster have both been charged by police following incidents during the Blades’ Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The allegations refer back to the game at the City Ground on May 17 where Forest beat United on penalties to reach the play-off final.

Sheffield United play-off semi-final

Several incidents occurred during Forest’s shootout win at the City Ground

Ugly scenes occured at full-time as Blades captain Billy Sharp was assaulted by a fan during the pitch invasion – which led to the supporter later being arrested – while McBurnie was accused of stamping on a fan.

Former Liverpool forward Brewster was involved in a separate incident, while defender Jack Robinson, who had an altercation with a fan outside the ground as he got back on the team coach, received no punishment.

A statement from the Yorkshire club said that they were “disappointed” to hear that both of their players had been charged for the events in the East Midlands and that they “strenuously deny the charges.”

They said: “Sheffield United Football Club is disappointed to learn that Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie have been charged following the incidents that took place at the EFL Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest last month.

“Both players voluntarily engaged in interviews with Nottinghamshire Police in the aftermath of the fixture which saw their team-mate, Billy Sharp, the victim of assault in the chaos which followed the final whistle.

“Brewster and McBurnie strenuously deny the charges brought against them and football manager Paul Heckingbottom, who wrote letters to the League Managers’ Association, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the EFL and FA following a number of pitch invasions last month, including one involving Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, is continuing discussions with key stakeholders in a bid to better protect players and staff in their place of work.”

Related links: