Police have opened 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-clinching match on Saturday. The footage, which has been circulating on social media, shows a tense moment that unfolded after York secured a 1-1 draw against Rochdale, a result that was enough to guarantee them the top spot in the National League and a return to the Football League after a ten‑year absence.
The climax of the game took place at Spotland Stadium in Rochdale, where the atmosphere turned electric in the final stages. York needed only to avoid defeat to clinch automatic promotion, while Rochdale were desperate for a win to keep their own hopes alive. In the 96th minute of added time, Rochdale’s Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed in a goal that gave the home side a fleeting lead and sparked the first pitch invasion of the evening.
Fans swarmed the field in celebration, prompting stewards to intervene and restore order. The drama did not end there.
In the 113th minute, York’s Josh Stones scored a stunning equaliser deep into stoppage time, sending the York supporters into a frenzy and prompting a second wave of pitch‑invading fans. As the final whistle blew, a York player was seen on his knees amid the chaotic scene.
The video appears to show a confrontation between the player and a spectator; as stewards move to separate them, the player rises and seems to throw a punch at the fan. Greater Manchester Police released a statement confirming they are aware of the circulating video and are working closely with both clubs as well as the National League to assess the material.
"We will be further assessing the video and reviewing CCTV of the incident," the police said, indicating that a thorough examination of all available footage is underway. In the aftermath of the incident, authorities arrested four Rochdale supporters.
One individual was detained on suspicion of assault and pitch incursion, another on suspicion of a public order offence, and two more on suspicion of pitch incursion. Additionally, a York supporter was taken into custody on suspicion of assault; police have said he will be interviewed at a later date. The sequence of events on the night was as follows: after Dieseruvwe’s late header gave Rochdale a temporary advantage, the home crowd surged onto the pitch in celebration, prompting a swift response from security staff. The second invasion occurred after Stones’ dramatic equaliser, which not only salvaged a point for York but also secured their promotion.
The tension between the two sets of fans, combined with the high stakes of the match, created a volatile environment that ultimately led to the alleged assault. Both clubs have been contacted by Sky Sports News for comment, but as of now no official statements have been released from either side regarding the alleged punch. York’s manager, Stuart Maynard, took to the club’s X (formerly Twitter) account to celebrate the achievement, saying, "I think it was written in the stars.
The football gods were with us and we're just buzzing to get over the line." Maynard also highlighted the mentality he and his assistant Joao Alves have tried to instill in the squad: "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. Midfielder Ollie Banks admitted he stayed up until 6 a.m.
the next morning, describing the experience as "an unbelievable day and an unbelievable night" during an interview with talkSPORT. The players and staff were visibly elated, reflecting on a season that had seen York climb from the lower reaches of the National League back into the English Football League for the first time since 2016. While the on‑field heroics will be remembered for years to the club’s supporters, the off‑field incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a purely joyous occasion.
The police investigation will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted, and both clubs are likely to review their security protocols to prevent similar incidents in future high‑stakes matches. The incident also serves as a reminder of the fine line between passionate support and unsafe behaviour, especially in moments of extreme emotion when promotion, relegation, and club pride hang in the balance. As the investigation proceeds, fans and officials alike will be watching closely to see how the situation is resolved and what measures will be put in place to safeguard the integrity of the sport and the safety of everyone involved.