Billy Sharp speaks out on Twitter after Sheffield United star left needing stitches following headbutt by ‘scumbag’ pitch invader

Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp posted a statement on social media after he was headbutted by a pitch invader on Tuesday night.

Nottingham Forest booked their place in the Championship play-off final, but the match was overshadowed by the incident involving Sharp in the celebrations by the home fans.

2

Fans ran onto the pitch and one left the striker needing stitches after headbutting him.

A 31-year-old has been arrested in connection with the incident and Forest have vowed to ban the culprit for life.

Sharp branded the individual a 'scumbag' but said he would not lose his 'respect for the Forest fans'.

"One mindless idiot ruined what was an unbelievable night of football," he wrote in a lengthy message on Twitter.

"Congratulations to Nottingham Forest on their victory and good luck in the final. As an ex-Forest player I will not let one scumbag ruin my respect for Forest fans.

"Incredibly proud to be captain of this group of Sheffield United players, they gave their all and can hold their heads high. We will be back and go again.

"Thanks for all your messages and support after the incident."

2

The Professional Footballers' Association added in a statement on Twitter: "We are shocked and appalled by the senseless assault by a fan on Sheffield United's Billy Sharp. The football pitch is a place of work for our members, this is one of a growing number of incidents this season.

"Matchday security and fan disorder needs to be reviewed ahead of next season, and we will be raising player safety with the clubs, leagues and the UK Football Policing Unit.

"There is no place in football for this behaviour. We recognise that stewards and the police have a very difficult job, a suspect has been arrested, and Nottingham Forest have confirmed the offender will be banned for life."

However, there have been calls for harsher punishment for offending supporters, with Ian Holloway telling the talkSPORT Breakfast lifetime bans aren't enough.