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Kirkland attacked by fan

Image: Chris Kirkland: Assaulted by supporter after conceding equaliser

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was assaulted on the field during Friday night's Yorkshire derby against Leeds at Hillsborough.

Goalkeeper shoved to floor during Yorkshire derby

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was assaulted on the field during Friday night's Yorkshire derby against Leeds at Hillsborough. The former England international, 31, had just conceded a 77th-minute equaliser to Michael Tonge when the incident happened, with a man running onto the field from the Leppings Lane End which was housing the Leeds fans, and appearing to punch Kirkland in the face. The man then returned to the stand while trouble continued around him, with a number of other visiting supporters running on and off the field and stewards struggled to contain them. Trouble had been brewing throughout the night, with a section of the away support throwing bottles on the field as they clashed with stewards and police, while the home fans stoked things up by singing songs that referenced the two Leeds fans who were killed in Turkey in April 2000. The Leeds fans amongst the crowd of 28,582 also courted controversy by singing songs that referenced criminal charges against Wednesday manager Dave Jones which were eventually dropped, as well as seeming to salute Jimmy Savile, the former broadcaster who is now the subject of a criminal investigation for child abuse.

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