Following a police investigation into occurrences during the team’s Championship play-off semifinal loss to Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United football players Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie have been charged.
The two players will likely face criminal charges as a result of a Nottinghamshire Police investigation, according to a statement on Sheffield United FC’s website.
Brewster, 22, and McBurnie, 26, have not yet been charged with anything, but the club said they both’strenuously’ refute the accusations after appearing in voluntary police interviews.
The claims concern the team’s match versus Forest in the second leg of the club’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semifinal on May 17 at the City Ground in Nottingham.
After Sheffield United fell to Forest 3-2 on penalties, Forest supporters invaded the field. Billy Sharp, the captain of the Blades, was assaulted during this time, and a guy afterwards charged at him.
Robert Biggs, 30, a season ticket holder for the Forest, admitted assault resulting in actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison last month.
Following a series of similar events at other stadiums, including at Everton, when Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira got into a fight with a supporter, the Yorkshire club stated that it was collaborating with others to address concerns about pitch invasions.
The statement read, “Sheffield United Football Club is disappointed to learn that Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie have been charged following the incidents that occurred at the second leg of the EFL Championship Play-off Semifinal against Nottingham Forest last month.
In the wake of the game, where their teammate Billy Sharp was assaulted in the commotion that followed the final whistle, “both players freely engaged in interviews with Nottinghamshire Police.”
Football manager Paul Heckingbottom, who wrote letters to the League Managers’ Association, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the EFL, and the FA following a number of pitch invasions last month, including one involving Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, is continuing discussions with key stakeholders in an effort to better protect players and staff at their place of employment.
Brewster and McBurnie vehemently deny the charges brought against them.