SHEFFIELD, England - Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland spoke yesterday 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 keeper 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 night.
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 in a statement released by the Owls.
"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."