Football May 07, 2026

Police investigate video that appears to show York player punch a fan during match

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Police investigate video that appears to show York player punch a fan during match

Police will investigate a video which seems to show a York player punching a fan after the Minstermen clinched promotion back to the Football League for the first time in a decade on Saturday.

An extraordinary conclusion unfolded at Rochdale, where York claimed a 1-1 draw that was enough to secure top spot in the National League thanks to Josh Stones' goal in the 13th minute of stoppage-time.

However, during the second of two pitch invasions - Rochdale fans had earlier stormed onto the pitch after Emmanuel Dieseruvwe had put them ahead - a recording circulating online appears to show a confrontation between a fan and a York player, who was on his knees at the final whistle.

As stewards attempted to separate the pair, the player got to his feet and appeared to punch the fan.

"We are aware of a video that is circulating of a possible assault involving a player and we have linked in with both clubs and the National League," Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.

"We will be further assessing the video and reviewing CCTV of the incident."

A total of four Rochdale fans were arrested, one on suspicion of assault and pitch incursion, one on suspicion of a public order offence and two on suspicion of pitch incursion.

A York supporter was also arrested on suspicion of assault and police confirmed he would be interviewed at a later date.

The first pitch invasion followed Rochdale's opener in the 96th minute, with the club needing victory to top the table and gain automatic promotion. The second invasion came after York's dramatic equaliser in the 113th minute.

Your Site News has contacted both Rochdale and York for comment.

York only needed to avoid defeat on Saturday but they fell behind when Dieseruvwe headed home in the fifth minute of injury time and had Rochdale held on, they would have guaranteed a place in League Two next season.

However, Stones' dramatic equaliser means Dale will have to focus on the play-offs, with York now looking towards being back in the EFL next season for the first time since 2016.

"I think it was written in the stars," York manager Stuart Maynard said on York's X account. "The football gods were with us and we're just buzzing to get over the line.

"There's a real belief within this group. The one thing me and [assistant] Joao [Alves] have installed at this football club is we show no disappointment, we keep going all the way. Until the end and until it's over, it's never over."

York's celebrations went on long into the night, with Ollie Banks revealing he did not go to bed until 6am on Sunday morning.

"An unbelievable day and an unbelievable night," he told talkSPORT with a smile.

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

PSG vs Arsenal: The dismantling of Bayern Munich by French champions is a Champions League final warning for Mikel Arteta

PSG vs Arsenal: The dismantling of Bayern Munich by French champions is a Champions League final warning for Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal squad will have watched Paris Saint-Germain dismantle Bayern Munich and felt a sense of déjà vu from the French side. The...

Championship play-offs: Millwall boss Alex Neil calls on Lions to produce 'moment of magic' at Hull to earn first-leg advantage

Championship play-offs: Millwall boss Alex Neil calls on Lions to produce 'moment of magic' at Hull to earn first-leg advantage

Millwall are in the Championship play-offs for the first time in 24 years - but they have something of a specialist in this format on their side in bo...

PSG vs Arsenal: Sky Sports writers select combined line-ups ahead of Champions League final in Budapest

PSG vs Arsenal: Sky Sports writers select combined line-ups ahead of Champions League final in Budapest

The Champions League final is set. On May 30, holders Paris Saint-Germain will aim to defend their title in Budapest while Arsenal look to lift the tr...

Man City crowned Women's Super League champions: Andree Jeglertz reflects on WSL glory and creating winning mentality

Man City crowned Women's Super League champions: Andree Jeglertz reflects on WSL glory and creating winning mentality

Andree Jeglertz described the closing moments of Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Brighton, the result that confirmed Manchester City as champions, as "painful...

Premier League: Qualification for Champions League, Europa League and Conference League permutations as run-in heats up

Premier League: Qualification for Champions League, Europa League and Conference League permutations as run-in heats up

Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest on Thursday night, aiming to turn around a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their Europa League semi-final - and there will...

John McGinn interview: Aston Villa captain on European trophy dreams and why his role is about more than football

John McGinn interview: Aston Villa captain on European trophy dreams and why his role is about more than football

“It is Aston Villa,” John McGinn tells Your Site. “We don't make things easy for ourselves.” Even so, they are one game away from a European final. “W...