Pendukung Leeds Pukul Kiper
Leeds Fan Punches Goalkeeper
Reporter : Roni Said
Editor : Cahyani Harzi
 besar.jpg)
SEPAK bola Inggris dihadang krisis baru setelah kiper Sheffield
Wednesday, Chris Kirkland diserang oleh suporter saat berlangsung derby,
Yorkshire dengan Leeds United.
Tendangan volley Michael Tonge di
menit ke-77 berhasil menyamakan kedudukan dan pendukung Leeds bersorak,
tiba-tiba datang seorang pendukung dari belakang gawang Kirkland dan
langsung menyerangnya.
Insiden ini akan menjerumuskan sepak bola
ke kondisi suram setelah kemenangan timnas U-21 atas timnas Serbia
tercemar, Selasa malam.
Dalam laga malam itu, suporter datang
dari sisi kiri Kirkland, lalu berlari ke arahnya untuk menyerang dengan
tangan terkepal pada kiper Sheffield, Rabu.
Manajer Leeds, Neil Warnock sangat gusar setelah peristiwa tersebut dan menyatakan dirinya sangat 'malu' atas kejadian tersebut.
"Saya pikir itu sangat memalukan," katanya. "Saya pikir pelakunya harus ditangkap dan dituntut lalu dimasukkan penjara."
Dia (Kirkland) terjatuh lemas tapi itu semua sudah terjadi. Tidak ada orang yang membantunya.
"Saya
tidak bangga menjadi manajer Leeds atas kejadian tersebut. Saya tidak
keberatan pada persaingan, itu adalah tantangan besar."
"Tapi untuk melihat hal itu sangatlah tidak pantas. Saya benar-benar malu."
Bos
Wednesday Dave Jones mengaku gusar dan menyatakan: "tindakan itu sangat
memalukan." Seraya menyatakan mereka harus dilarang bermain."
Setelah
kejadian, pihak Leeds United melalui pernyataan resmi mengkonfirmasi
bekerja sama dengan polisi untuk mengidentifikasi pelaku yang melakukan
penyerangan memalukan tersebut.
Polisi Yorkshire South
mengkonfirmasi akan bekerja sama dengan kedua klub untuk
mengidentifikasi pelaku dan menyeret ke pengadilan terhadap orang-orang
yang bertanggung jawab.
FOOTBALL England was plunged into fresh crisis after a tumultuous week when Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was assaulted by fan in the Yorkshire derby with Leeds united.
Michael Tonge volleyed a 77th-minute equaliser for visitors Leeds and was turning away to celebrate when a fan in the away section ran from behind Kirkland’s goal and assaulted him.
The incident will plunge the sport into even murkier waters after the shocking scenes that marred England U21s' victory away at Serbia U21s on Tuesday night.
In tonight's Championships encounter, approaching from Kirkland’s left, the thug ran up to him and caught him unawares with a double-fisted blow that floored Sheffield Wednesday’s keeper.
Leeds manager Neil Warnock was furious after the match and said he was 'absolutely embarrassed' by the incident.
'I thought it was an absolute disgrace,' he said. 'I think they should get the guy and prosecute him and put him in prison.
He (Kirkland) went down like a ton of bricks but that doesn't make a difference. Nobody should be on the pitch doing that.
'I am not proud of being Leeds manager when I see that. I don't mind the rivalry between us - there was a great atmosphere.
'To see things like that on the field of play there is no place for it - I am absolutely embarrassed.'
Dave (Jones, Wednesday manager) was saying we shouldn't thank the crowd but our crowd were fantastic but we've got one moron and I can't tolerate that.
Minutes after the full-time whistle, Leeds United released a statement promising to work with the police to identify the man responsible for the sickening attack.
South Yorkshire Police have confirmed in a statement they 'will be working with both clubs to identify and quickly bring to justice the persons
responsible'.
