Nottingham Forest is preparing for its play-off final after a dramatic penalty kick at home against Sheffield United.
In the chaotic scenes afterward, a guest supporter, Billy Sharp, bled to death.
Sheffield coach Paul Hickingbottom says he’s shaky and angry.
Brennan Johnson pushed 1-0, implying 3-1 in a double standoff, against Nottingham Forest barely 20 minutes into the match.
Then it looked like it could be a fun trip for the home team – but Sheffield United wanted something else.
The visitors came in as a new team after the break and immediately put up an opponent through Morgan Gibbs-White.
With the quarter still left, John Fleck fired from close range and made sure it was perfectly level.
“huge”
The match went into overtime – and that was without goals. Instead, penalties will be required to separate the law. Once there, the home team showed their utmost coolness.
Nottingham goalkeeper Bryce Samba became a hero as he saved three penalties. After Sheffield’s fifth penalty kick was taken, last place was secured and home fans stormed into the City Ground lawn with pure joy.
– it’s huge. But it’s not over yet, we have one step left and that’s Wembley. We’re happy, we’ll have fun tonight and then we’ll focus on the final,” Samba told Sky Sports.
‘It’s abuse’
But the storm of the plan got a bitter aftertaste. A man rushed to Sheffield striker Billy Sharp, who previously played for Nottingham, and pointed him to the ground.
Guest coach Paul Hickingbottom was upset after that.
– It’s an assault. According to The Athletic, we have seen one of our players get attacked.
– He’s (sharp) shivering, angry, bloody.
Nottingham also condemned the incident, and apologized to Sharp.
“The club will work with the authorities to locate the individual so that he can be held accountable for his actions, which will include a life ban from Nottingham Forest,” the club said in a statement.
can give billions
But for now at least Nottingham and Huddersfield, who reached the final on Monday, are just a win away from matches in the Premier League – Which means a jingle when you go out.
Audit firm Deloitte reported in 2020 that a victory in the final could increase the winning club’s revenue by between 1.7 billion SEK and 3.3 billion SEK, depending on whether the rising club is able to avoid relegation the following season.
The final will be played at Wembley on May 29.