Andy Robertson’s Teammate Cleared of Assaulting a Pitch Invader, Who Called Him ‘S**t at Football’

There were scenes in the soccer stadium when Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield United on penalties in the Championship play-off semifinal in May 2022. The Forest fans invaded the pitch after the victory, resulting in chaos. It was during this chaos a Forest fan claimed that a Sheffield United striker assaulted him physically.

The chaos after the match resulted in various trials. One Forest fan found guilty of head-butting Sheffield United captain. Another United player was also trialed for assault but cleared in June. Although, the United striker Oli McBurnie has been cleared recently for the assault on a Forest fan.

Oli McBurnie underwent trial for fan assault

George Brinkley, a Nottingham Forest, accused Sheffield United striker of stamping him twice. The incident happened after the chaotic scenes on Forest City ground. They charged the player based on the video circulated on social media. Yet, the player kept denying the charges. Brinkley told the court while he was sitting near the dugout spoke to United players.

He said, “At half-time, I spoke to a couple of (United) players. I said ‘Oli McBurnie you are s*** at football, I am better than you and I’m not a pro’.” 

Brinkley found himself head locked after the game when he invaded the pitch. He accused McBurnie of stamping him twice before being pulled away. Although, it was another United player, Rhian Brewster, who headlock the fan to the ground. Brewster was also charged with assault but was cleared in July 2022.

McBurnie, who wasn’t part of the squad, was in the dugout to see the match. He was recovering from his foot injury. The striker was wearing a protective boot after suffering a foot injury six weeks before. He broke three metatarsal bones. McBurnie claimed he was protecting his foot while going to help Brewster, who was on the ground with Brinkley. He was trying to balance himself, and the fan thought the player assault him.

McBurnie said in the court, “Trying to find my balance. I am trying my best to stay out of his way. Literally, there is no space. There is nowhere else for me to go but to the right-hand side. My left foot is on the floor within his two legs. I was using my arms for balance–it was a kind of hopping motion. It’s hard to get your balance with so many people and obstacles in the way.”

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Although the Judge found McBurnie not guilty of any kind of assault. The Judge told the verdict is based on the evidence provided. The player was cleared of the charges on 15th December 2022, and the club welcomed the decision, although the club is not happy that the player underwent trial.

What happened at the soccer game between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United?

The game in focus took place on 18th May 2022. It was the second leg of the Championship play-off semifinal. Forest won the first leg away from home. However, United took the game to penalties by beating Forest at their home as the aggregate score didn’t separate them.

Forest won the game on the penalties. As a result, Forest fans invaded the pitch, creating chaos. United captain Billy sharp was in blood as a Forest fan head-butted him. The fan was charged and found guilty. Oli McBurnie was in shock when he saw Sharp in the blood and wanted to help other teammates despite being injured. It got him involved in the incident with Brinkley, a Forest fan, who accused him of assault.

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Let us know your thoughts on the chaos during the game and the judgment on Oli McBurnie.