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-clinching match on Saturday. The footage, which has been circulating on social media, shows a heated encounter during the second of two pitch invasions at the match in Rochdale, where York secured a 1-1 draw that was sufficient to clinch the National League title and a return to the Football League after a ten‑year absence.
The game itself was a roller‑coaster. Rochdale took the lead deep into stoppage time when Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed home in the 96th minute, prompting a wave of excitement among the home fans. Their jubilation quickly turned chaotic as supporters stormed onto the field, breaching security and prompting the first pitch invasion.
York, however, refused to surrender. In the 113th minute, after a frantic period of extra time, Josh Stones rose to the occasion, finding the back of the net with a goal in the 13th minute of added time. That strike secured a 1-1 result, which, thanks to the points tally, crowned York as champions of the National League and guaranteed automatic promotion to League Two for the first time since the 2015‑16 season. The celebrations were intense, but the atmosphere turned sour when a second group of Rochdale fans surged onto the pitch after the final whistle.
The video shows a York player on his knees, presumably exhausted from the effort, as stewards try to separate him from a fan who appears to be confronting him. At one point the player rises and, according to the recording, throws a punch that connects with the supporter. The clip ends before any further action is visible, leaving authorities to piece together the full sequence of events.
Greater Manchester Police issued a statement confirming they are aware of the video and are working closely with both clubs and 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 additional footage from the stadium’s surveillance system will be examined to verify the allegations and identify all parties involved.
In the wake of the incident, four Rochdale fans were taken into custody. One individual faces suspicion of assault and pitch incursion, another is suspected of a public order offence, and two more are being investigated for unlawful entry onto the playing surface.
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 have raised questions about crowd control and stadium security, especially in high‑stakes matches where promotion or relegation hangs in the balance.
The first invasion occurred immediately after Dieseruvwe’s late winner, a moment that ignited the home crowd’s emotions. The second followed Stones’ equaliser, which not only salvaged a point for York but also secured the championship. Both invasions disrupted the normal post‑match procedures and forced officials to intervene repeatedly.
York’s manager, Stuart Maynard, expressed elation on the club’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, describing the achievement as "written in the stars" and attributing the success to what he called the "football gods". He praised the squad’s resilience, noting that the team never allowed disappointment to set in and kept pressing until the final whistle. "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," Maynard wrote. The celebrations continued long after the final whistle. Midfielder Ollie Banks recounted staying up until the early hours of Sunday, saying he didn’t go to bed until around 6 a.m.
He described the day and night as "unbelievable", reflecting the magnitude of the club’s accomplishment and the emotional release felt by players and fans alike. Sky Sports News has reached out to both clubs for comment on the alleged assault, but no official statements have been released at the time of writing. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have indicated that they will continue to review all available video evidence, including the stadium’s CCTV, to determine whether criminal charges will be pursued against the player or any other individuals involved.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of football passions, particularly when promotion is on the line. While York’s triumph will be celebrated for years to come, the episode serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining order and safety for both players and supporters in moments of heightened emotion.