Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was assaulted by a fan who ran onto the field during a match against Leeds on Friday.
After Kirkland allowed a goal in the 77th minute in the 1-1 draw in the Yorkshire derby, the man ran onto the field from the Leeds' section of the crowd and struck the former England goalkeeper in the face, sending him to the ground. Kirkland received treatment and remained in the game.
The fan returned to the stands while trouble continued around him, with a number of other visiting supporters running on and off the field and stewards struggling to contain them.
''I felt embarrassed to be a manager when I saw that. I thought it was an absolute disgrace,'' Leeds manager Neil Warnock said. ''I think they should get the guy and prosecute him and put him in prison.''
South Yorkshire Police said they were working with both clubs ''to identify and quickly bring to justice the persons responsible.'' Bottles also were thrown onto the field from the visitor's end during the game, and Wednesday manager Dave Jones was taunted with songs about criminal charges against him that were dropped in 2000.
''They are vile animals,'' said Jones, who condemned Warnock and Leeds' players for applauding the away fans after the match.
''He's sore,'' Jones said about Kirkland. ''If he'd have stayed down, I wonder what would have happened. I have an ill goalkeeper. They should be punished.''
