Man in court after Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper assaulted

A 21-year-old man is in court today charged with assault after Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was hit by a fan during a Championship game.

The incident was one of a number of ugly scenes at Hillsborough during the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Friday night.

21 year old Aaron Cawley from Cheltenham will appear at Sheffield Crown Court this morning (22nd October).

Kirkland, who has played for England, was shoved to the ground moments after conceding an equaliser in the 76th minute. A man ran from the Leeds fans onto the pitch and pushed Kirkland in the face, before running back into the crowd.

The incident was caught on camera by Sky Sports who were broadcasting the derby game.

Wednesday manager Dave Jones - himself the subject of vile chants - urged Leeds fans to clean up their act.

Speaking on Five Live Sportsweek, he said: "It's a football match and we're looking at blaming police and stewards because they're not there. He was a hero, he ran in the crowd, they were slapping him on the back so what do you do about that? It's not one person."

Leeds boss Neil Warnock said: "Every club has got these fans and for me it's got to start at the very top now. There shouldn't be any way whatsoever that people should be allowed to run on the field of play."

The Football Association said it will investigate events. There were five arrests for various offences including public order before and after the game, while three people were ejected from the ground and 12 were subject to dispersal orders.

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