Stockport County’s celebrations after reaching the League One play-off final were marred after a fan tackled Stevenage’s goalkeeper to the ground during a pitch invasion.
Stockport booked their place at Wembley with a 3-0 aggregate victory, with goals from Louie Barry and Kyle Wootton earning a 2-0 win in the second leg at Edgeley Park.
Fans were seen gathering around the edges of the pitch before the final whistle, before flooding onto the pitch at full-time.
While the majority of jubilant fans went to celebrate with Stockport players, a couple were seen pushing Stevenage’s goalkeeper Filip Marschall as they ran past.
Footage posted on social media showed another fan running in the direction of Marschall, who was walking to the centre of the pitch.
The fan was then seen slide tackling the goalkeeper from behind, knocking the 23-year-old down onto the pitch.
Footage posted on social media showed Stevenage goalkeeper Filip Marschall being slide tackled during a pitch invasion on Wednesday
The goalkeeper was knocked to the floor after Stockport fans had invaded the playing surface
A member of security staff was seen running to assist Marschall and was seen pushing the fan away from the Stevenage goalkeeper.
Fans were quick to condemn the supporter’s actions on social media.
The incident comes weeks after York City midfielder Hiram Boateng appeared to be pushed to the ground by a Rochdale fan, following a pitch invasion during their National League title decider.
York vowed to support Boateng after the footage showed him appearing to punch the fan after two stewards had helped him back to his feet.
The Football Association and Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation after the incident.
Four Rochdale fans were arrested at the match, 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.
Both the Premier League and EFL have issued repeated warnings to fans over pitch invasions in recent years, stressing they risk having criminal records.
A series of high-profile incidents occurred in 2022, with one of the most notable seeing Everton fans taunt then Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira on the pitch after the Toffees retained their Premier League status.
Vieira avoided an FA ban after kicking out at the fan, with the Frenchman warning the FA and Premier League faced a big issue when dealing with pitch invasions.
The same week also saw Huddersfield fans criticised by then Luton boss Nathan Jones for goading his team after their Championship play-off tie.
A Nottingham Forest fan headbutted Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp in the second semi-final. The fan was later jailed for assault.
