Keeper Kirkland stunned by fan attack

SHEFFIELD: Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (pic) spoke on Saturday of his shock at being attacked on the pitch by a Leeds fan as English football’s authorities condemned the ugly scenes at the match.

The former England and Liverpool goalkeeper was shoved in the face and knocked to the ground by a man who invaded the pitch during a stormy 1-1 Championship draw at Hillsborough on Friday, but was not caught by stewards. The suspect has been identified but remains at large. The incident happened after Leeds equalised. “I was gutted with conceding the goal and had my head down as I kicked the ball down the field,” Kirkland said.

“When I looked up, I caught a glimpse of someone coming towards me on the pitch. “I thought he was going to give me some abuse but then suddenly he came at me with both hands and I was stunned.

“I felt the full force and I was just shocked because you never know what could have been in his hands.

“I was sore and, as I say, really shocked at what had happened.

“The rest of the game flew by and then the final whistle came, the adrenalin goes and you reflect on something like that and it was scary.

“It was not a nice feeling to thinkmy daughter saw me assaulted like that.

“I just want the authorities to look at what happened and take the appropriate action because sooner or later, we could be talking about something even more serious.”