Police have launched an investigation into a video that appears to capture a York City player delivering a punch to a supporter following the Minstermen's dramatic promotion‑winning match on Saturday. The clip, which has been widely shared on social media, shows a heated exchange during the second of two pitch invasions that took place at Rochdale's stadium after York secured a 1‑1 draw that clinched the National League title and a return to the Football League after a ten‑year absence. The climax of the fixture unfolded in extraordinary fashion.
With the game deep into stoppage time, York needed at least a point to guarantee the top spot, while Rochdale required a win to keep their promotion hopes alive. In the 96th minute, Rochdale’s striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed home, putting the home side ahead and prompting an immediate surge of emotions among the visiting fans. The goal sparked the first pitch invasion, as a wave of Rochdale supporters poured onto the field in celebration.
York, however, refused to concede defeat. In the 113th minute, after a prolonged period of extra time, midfielder Josh Stones found the back of the net, equalising for the Minstermen and effectively sealing the championship. The equaliser triggered a second incursion onto the pitch, this time involving both sets of fans in a chaotic scene that lasted until officials finally restored order. It was during this second invasion that the video in question was recorded.
The footage appears to show a York player on his knees at the final whistle, being confronted by a fan. Stewards move in to separate the two, and as the player rises, he seems to swing his fist and strike the supporter. The exact identity of the player has not been confirmed, and the police statement emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. Greater Manchester Police released a brief statement acknowledging the existence of the video.
"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," the force said. "We will be further assessing the video and reviewing CCTV of the incident." The police indicated that they are also reviewing footage from the stadium’s own cameras to piece together a complete picture of what transpired. In the aftermath of the incident, four Rochdale fans were taken into custody. One individual faced suspicion of assault and pitch incursion, another was suspected of a public order offence, and two more were detained on suspicion of entering the playing area without permission.
Additionally, a York supporter was arrested on suspicion of assault and is expected to be interviewed by police at a later date. The dual invasions themselves were a direct result of the dramatic timing of the goals. The first invasion erupted immediately after Dieseruvwe’s late winner, as the home crowd celebrated what they believed to be a decisive moment.
The second invasion followed Stones’ equaliser, with emotions running high on both sides as York’s fans rushed onto the field in jubilation while some Rochdale supporters attempted to reclaim the pitch. Both clubs have been contacted for comment, with Sky Sports News reaching out to representatives from Rochdale and York. Neither side has provided an official response at the time of writing, though the atmosphere surrounding the match has been described as "electric" and "tense" by several eyewitnesses.
York entered the match knowing that a draw would be sufficient to secure promotion. The team fell behind in the fifth minute of injury time when Dieseruvwe’s header gave Rochdale the lead. Had York been unable to find an equaliser, they would have missed out on automatic promotion and faced the uncertainty of the play‑offs. Instead, Stones’ late strike not only salvaged a point but also propelled York to the top of the table, leaving Rochdale to regroup and focus on a potential play‑off route.
York manager Stuart Maynard took to the club’s X (formerly Twitter) account to celebrate the achievement, posting, "I think it was written in the stars. The football gods were with us and we're just buzzing to get over the line." He added, "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." The celebrations continued long into the early hours of Sunday morning. York midfielder Ollie Banks told talkSPORT that he did not retire to bed until around 6 a.m., describing the day as "unbelievable" and the night as "unbelievable" as well.
The club’s fans gathered in the town centre, singing, chanting, and sharing stories of the season’s highs and lows, underscoring the emotional significance of returning to the English Football League for the first time since 2016. As the investigation proceeds, police will continue to analyse the viral video alongside any additional CCTV footage to determine whether a criminal offence occurred and, if so, identify the individuals involved. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between passionate support and unlawful behaviour, especially in high‑stakes matches where emotions can run dangerously high. Both clubs are expected to review their security protocols ahead of future fixtures, aiming to prevent similar breaches of order.
Meanwhile, York City can now look forward to preparing for life back in League Two, while Rochdale must regroup and aim to secure a play‑off spot to keep their own promotion ambitions alive.