Police are investigating a video which appears to show a York player punching a fan after the team clinched promotion away from Rochdale back to the Football League for the first time in a decade.
The win followed a frantic few minutes of stoppage-time drama which saw two goals and a number of fan pitch invasions, where York City claimed the point they needed from a 1-1 draw to win the title in the 13th minute of stoppage-time.
However, during the second of two pitch invasions - the first which saw Rochdale fans storm on to the pitch after Emmanuel Dieseruvwe had put them ahead – a recording began circulating online which appears to show a confrontation between a fan and a York player, who was on his knees at the final whistle.
As stewards attempted to separate the pair, the player gets to his feet and appears to punch the fan.
“We are aware of a video that is circulating of a possible assault involving a player and we have linked in with both clubs and the National League,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.
“We will be further assessing the video and reviewing CCTV of the incident.”
A total of four Rochdale fans were arrested, one on suspicion of assault and pitch incursion, one on suspicion of a public order offence and two on suspicion of pitch incursion.
A York supporter was also arrested on suspicion of assault and police confirmed he would be interviewed at a later date.
Both Rochdale and York have been approached for comment.
York only needed to avoid defeat on Saturday but they fell behind when Dieseruvwe headed home in the fifth minute of injury time and had Rochdale held on, they would have guaranteed a place in League Two next season.
However, Stones’ dramatic equaliser means Dale will have to focus on the play-offs, with York now looking towards being back in the EFL next season for the first time since 2016.
“I think it was written in the stars,” York manager Stuart Maynard said on York’s X account. “The football gods were with us and we’re just buzzing to get over the line.
“There’s a real belief within this group. The one thing me and (assistant) Joao (Alves) have installed at this football club is we show no disappointment, we keep going all the way. Until the end and until it’s over, it’s never over.”
