The football fan who mocked the death of ex-Sheffield United star George Baldock faces losing his job, MailOnline can reveal.
University-educated surveyor Brandon Pedryc was pictured holding a vile sign on his phone reading, ‘Where’s Baldock?’ during the Steel City derby on Sunday.
The message referenced the death of former United player Baldock, 31, who was found dead in a swimming pool at his home near Athens on October 9.
South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Wednesday have both launched investigations.
MailOnline can now reveal that he also faces the prospect of losing his post with the River Stewardship Co in Sheffield, which has launched its own probe.
Sheffield Wednesday fan Brandon Pedryc faces losing his job after mocking the death of former Sheffield United star George Baldock by holding up a sign saying: ‘Where’s Baldock?’
Baldock made 219 appearances for United before leaving for Greece, where he passed away
Mail Sport exclusively revealed the identity of university-educated Pedryc on Monday morning
A spokesman for the waterway maintenance firm today said it was taking the matter ‘seriously, extremely seriously’.
The company said in a statement: ‘We are aware of the image circulating in the media, which shows one of our employees at the Sheffield derby football match this weekend.
‘The behaviour captured in the photo goes entirely against our values as an organisation. We are conducting an internal legal investigation as a matter of urgency.
‘We will work with South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club accordingly.
‘We will provide a full statement once the investigation has been completed.’
Just weeks ago the company had posted on social media announcing Brandon’s role as a quantity surveyor.
The firm wrote on Facebook: ‘He’s been out and about getting stuck in and assisting in a river clean up with our friends at Riverlution!’
Pedryc attended the University of Sheffield between 2019 and 2022 and was a Geography student. He is also in a relationship.
Sheffield United and Wednesday were facing off for the first time since the 31-year-old passed
He was welcomed to employers River Stewards Co – who offered no comment when contacted by Mail Sport
The Steel City derby is believed to be the most expensive Championship match to police
His Facebook, X and LinkedIn accounts are believed to have been taken down.
His mother, Debbie, who runs a dog walking business in Barnsley, South Yorks, declined to comment when contacted by Mail Online.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s unsavoury incident, social media was awash with users condemning the apparent actions of the fan, with Chloe Bannan, wife of Wednesday captain Barry Bannan, saying: ‘That is absolutely abhorrent, and they’re nothing to do with Wednesday.’
A Sheffield Wednesday spokesperson said: ‘The club are aware of an image circulating on social media and roundly condemn this abhorrent act.
‘We are working together with South Yorkshire Police on an immediate investigation and make it absolutely clear that there is no place in football or society for such appalling behaviour.’
South Yorkshire Police added: ‘We are working with Sheffield Wednesday FC to investigate an image circulated online, during the Sheffield derby football fixture on Sunday 10 November.’
Baldock made 205 appearances for United over a seven-year period and went on to join Greek side Panathinaikos in May
The English-born footballer qualified through a grandparent to represent Greece on 12 occasions.
