Sheffield United: Fleetwood boss claims keeper was hit by object thrown by Blades fans

Sheffield United could find themselves at the centre of a Football Association investigation after Steven Pressley, the Fleetwood Town manager, claimed his goalkeeper Chris Maxwell was struck by an object thrown from the crowd during Saturday's match at Highbury.
Chris Maxwell of Fleetwood Town saves as Che Adams of Sheffield Utd closes inChris Maxwell of Fleetwood Town saves as Che Adams of Sheffield Utd closes in
Chris Maxwell of Fleetwood Town saves as Che Adams of Sheffield Utd closes in

Pressley alleged the incident had taken place after Nigel Adkins’ side had been awarded an added time penalty which Che Adams converted to ensure the League One fixture finished all square.

Pressley later criticised official Carl Boyeson for his handling of the incident - “The response from the referee to him was that it was his own fault. Regardless of Chris’ reactions that type of comment is purely unacceptable” - before vowing to pursue the matter with the governing body.

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Adkins also criticised Boyeson, a late replacement for the injured Richard Clark, for disallowing a John Brayford ‘goal’ following Adams’ spot-kick.

“We will make sure that we report that type of comment to the relevant to the appropriate body,” Pressley fumed. “It is completely unacceptable and it wasn’t just heard by Chris but it was heard by another witness, one of our players.

“It is something that we will report and something that is totally unacceptable in the game. The one thing that we can’t accept is a comment like that from an official.”

“Nothing can condone the incident that than occurred,” Pressley added. “It is just above his eye and a bit like the Chris Brunt incident it could have quite easily have taken his eye out.”

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Brunt, the West Bromwich Albion midfielder, was injured after being hit by a coin thrown by one of his own club’s supporters following an FA Cup tie against Reading last month. United, whose fans were massed behind Maxwell’s goal when the alleged incident took place, could be asked to provide their thoughts on the matter if, as expected, Boyeson includes it in his match report.