Soccer fan pleads guilty to assaulting player after game

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — A soccer admirer pleaded guilty on Thursday to assaulting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp at the stop of the team’s Championship playoff recreation against Nottingham Forest.

Robert Biggs, a 30-calendar year-outdated period-ticket holder at Forest, ran on to the area immediately after Tuesday’s activity at the City Floor and headbutted Sharp to the ground in close proximity to the touchline. Sharp, who did not perform in the match due to the fact of harm and was standing with his palms in his pockets, essential 4 stitches to a wound on his lip.

Biggs appeared at a listening to at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court docket and admitted to the offense, which was explained by prosecutors as a “deliberate and senseless act of violence.”

Through the hearing, Biggs was advised that a separate cost of illegally moving into the enjoying surface had been dropped. He did not oppose an software for a banning get from soccer matches.

Forest now mentioned whoever attacked Sharp would be banned for everyday living.

The incident took location immediately after supporters poured onto the discipline soon after Forest received 5-4 in a penalty shootout. The groups drew 3-3 on aggregate right after two legs.

Sharp, a former Forest participant, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that “one senseless idiot ruined what was an unbelievable evening of soccer.”

“As an ex-Forest player I will not let a person scumbag wreck my respect for the Forest enthusiasts,” he stated.

Forest will play Huddersfield in the playoff ultimate on May perhaps 29, with the winner earning advertising to the English Premier League.

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