Ex-Premier League referee predicts yet another FA charge for Sheffield United after Burnley incident
Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury was among those to be confronted by Burnley fans following Monday's defeat.
Sheffield United could face yet another FA charge following Monday’s unsavoury post-match scenes at Turf Moor, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has suggested.
The Blades saw their automatic promotion hopes fade away after losing 2-1 at Burnley, a result which sent the Clarets and Leeds United back to the Premier League, sparking wild celebrations inside Turf Moor. Fans invaded the pitch after hearing the full-time whistle and some interacted with United players who were trying to head back to the dressing room.
On-loan midfielder Hamza Choudhury took particular exception to the words or actions of one fan and was subsequently led towards the tunnel, where another flashpoint occurred. Club staff and security were forced to intervene and Hackett, who also held a role as chief of the refereeing body PGMOL, expects charges to be handed out.
“I have no doubts that the FA will look at that,” Hackett told Football Insider of those post-match scenes. “Fans coming is a criminal offence, so if you want to take it to the nth degree, even though it’s celebratory, fans should stay off the pitch. The club should make every effort [to ensure] that it doesn’t happen but it’s almost tradition isn’t it, all those things are part and parcel of the game.
“But the reality is that for the second week, or even inside one week, because I think they’re already on a review, Sheffield United for the [Plymouth] game, they’re in for it for a second week. There’ll be a charge from the Football Association for both clubs failing to control their players.”
Sheffield United currently facing FA charge for Plymouth incident
United have faced multiple FA charges already this season and are currently under investigation for a clash at the end of last week’s 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle. The Blades would be given an opportunity to provide their side of the story if charged again, with the apparent lack of protection a likely mitigating factor.
Wilder declined to go into specifics regarding the incident but did question that level of protection. He told the Star: “They weren’t exactly going to say: ‘All the best and good luck in the play-offs’, shaking his hand. We were told by the ref before that we’d get stewards surrounding us, but I think they went on the missing list. Completely on the missing list.
“It was quite scary out there in the end, when people are coming and doing bits and pieces at you. It’s understandable that their emotions are running high, but I didn’t think we got protected by the football club or the stewards one bit. I spoke to the referee afterwards and he noticed that.
“When 40 or 50 lads are running at you, saying and doing bits and pieces at the end of a game, it’s quite difficult to get off. But I’d be absolutely stunned if anything comes our way on that.”
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