UK & World News
- 22 October 2012, 3:26
Kirkland Attack: Man Held After Goalkeeper Hit
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was hit in the face during a Championship game against Leeds.
A statement from Gloucestershire Police said the man was arrested in Cheltenham shortly before 1pm on Sunday.
Kirkland was struck in the face by a man who got on to the pitch shortly after Leeds had scored an equaliser.
He fell to the ground and required treatment, but was able to finish the game.
South Yorkshire Police are leading the investigation. The man remains in police custody.
A statement from South Yorkshire Police Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro said the offender was identified with public help.
He said: "With the public's assistance we have clearly identified the offender who ran on to the pitch during Friday night's game between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Leeds United FC and who is suspected of assaulting the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper.
"We are also using CCTV footage from around the ground to identify suspects who may have been responsible for other offences before, during or after the match.
"I'd like to thank the supporters and general public who have provided information and assisted with our inquiries."
what do you think?
Vladtheinhaler .
"He fell to the ground, and required treatment".......... errr, well he would do, wouldn't he. After all, he is a footballer. I've seen little kids "slapping each other , harder than that. Pathetic. Still, the idiot who did the slapping, needs sorting out.
Diane Rogers
You're missing the point
andy may
would you be more embarrassed being the footballer, vitually knocked out by a slap, or the idiot that did it?
jonbailey73
I dosnt matter how hard the slap was it the fact thats it was kris kirkland and not J T. The game has allowed vile people into the ground and onto the pitch. There is and never will be respect.
George Clement
There are four posting on here at the moment and I don't think any of them saw the incident if they think it was only a slap directed at Kirkland, me and my wife saw it on TV and that slap was a forcefull push on the mans jaw and it pushed his jaw sideways,upwards and backwards rapidly knocking him over, no wonder the chap went down. I wonder if these posters are Leeds supporters.
Lorgar Aurelian
They seem fine with the idea of pitch invasion. Gotta be Leeds fans. They forget that for all Kirkland knew the bloke could have had a knife.
dave
2:31pm on 21/10/2012
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