A Nottingham Forest fan alleged to have been stamped on by Sheffield United participant Oli McBurnie has claimed he was singled out and attacked after telling the star: “You are **** at soccer, I am higher than you.”
George Brinkley informed Nottingham Magistrates’ Court docket he genuinely feared for his life after being put in a headlock by McBurnie’s team-mate, Rhian Brewster, throughout a pitch invasion following final season’s Championship play-off semi-final on the Metropolis Floor.
Prosecutors declare Scotland worldwide McBurnie, who was sporting a protecting boot over an harm, suffered “a lack of mood and management” as 27-year-old Mr Brinkley celebrated Forest’s penalty shoot-out win on Could 17.
McBurnie, 26, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, who has scored 9 targets in 18 video games this season, denies a single cost of assault by beating, claiming he misplaced his stability after going to assistance from a team-mate.
After social media footage alleging to indicate the assault was performed to the courtroom, Mr Brinkley stated he invaded the pitch from the Peter Taylor Stand due to the “adrenaline” of Forest reaching a Wembley last.
Giving his account to a district choose through a video-link to a witness room, Mr Brinkley stated he had been sitting close to the dug-out, within the second row of the stand, for the match.
He informed the courtroom: “At half-time, I spoke to a few (United) gamers.
“I stated ‘Oli McBurnie you might be **** at soccer, I’m higher than you and I am not a professional’.”
Mr Brinkley stated former Swansea Metropolis and Barnsley participant McBurnie had heard the remark, including: “He responded to me, laughing, and stated ‘You seem like you might be’.
“I stated ‘Benefit from the Championship subsequent season’. I had a smile on my face. Hopefully as a result of I used to be joking, it got here throughout in that manner.
“It is only a little bit of banter, is not it?”
Requested by prosecutor Simon Jones how McBurnie had reacted, Mr Brinkley stated: “He had a smile on his face – fairly patronising… trying down on me.”
Describing what he claims occurred moments after Forest’s 3-2 penalty shoot-out win, Mr Brinkley informed the courtroom: “I celebrated with the 2 folks immediately behind me. I jumped over the promoting boards – I had that a lot adrenaline going via me.”
After becoming a member of different followers in hugging Forest defender Steve Cook dinner, Mr Brinkley stated he noticed that United ahead Billy Sharp had a nostril bleed.
“My on the spot response was shock,” the supporter added. “I did not know the way it had occurred.”
Invited to inform the district choose what occurred subsequent, Mr Brinkley stated: “I obtained headlocked to the bottom. I used to be laid on my again.
“Oli McBurnie stamped on me as soon as, stamped on me twice, then went to stamp on me for a 3rd time, however then obtained pulled away.
“My on the spot response was to kick him, however I did not as a result of I knew what the repercussions can be.”
The alleged sufferer stated he knew his assailant was McBurnie as a result of he was the one individual he had seen sporting a protecting boot.
“I could not stand up due to the folks round me,” he stated. “I felt that I used to be going to get my head kicked in.
“I did genuinely worry for my life as a result of I’ve had head accidents up to now and my head may be very delicate.”
The courtroom heard that Mr Brinkley didn’t realise it was Brewster who had put him a headlock till he noticed social media footage of the incident.
Throughout cross-examination by McBurnie’s barrister, Lisa Decide, Mr Brinkley was requested if he was suggesting that the striker had chosen him out of a crowd of a whole bunch and assaulted him “purely since you had stated he was a **** footballer”.
Ms Decide requested: “He (McBurnie) stated ‘Aha, that is the person who stated I used to be a **** footballer, I’m going to stamp on him?”‘
Mr Brinkley answered: “I consider so.”
Prosecutors dropped a standard assault cost introduced in opposition to Brewster in July.
The trial continues.
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