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Fan attacks goalkeeper in Championship match

Dunya News

Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was attacked during English Championship match.

Sheffield Wednesdays former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was assaulted by a fan who ran onto the pitch during his teams Championship match against Leeds on Friday.Kirkland had just conceded a 77th minute equalizer as Leeds came back to draw 1-1 in the Yorkshire derby when the man ran onto the pitch from the Leeds supporters end and struck him in the face sending the 31-year-old keeper to the ground. Kirkland received treatment before continuing the match.The fan meanwhile returned to the stand while trouble continued around him, with a number of other visiting supporters running on and off the field and stewards struggling to contain them.Trouble had been brewing throughout the second-tier match, with a section of the Leeds fans throwing bottles on the field as they clashed with stewards and police.Leeds manager Neil Warnock said: I felt embarrassed to be a manager when I saw that. I thought it was an absolute disgrace. I think they should get the guy and prosecute him and put him in prison.Leeds later issued a statement apologizing for the incident and said it will fully co-operate with the police and the football authorities in identifying the individual concerned.