Scotland and Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie has been cleared of assaulting a rival fan during a pitch invasion earlier this year.
Nottingham Magistrates’ Court had heard allegations that the 26-year-old had stamped on Nottingham Forest fan George Brinkley after the team beat Sheffield in a play-off semi-final. McBurnie had denied the charge, claiming he had stepped over Brinkley to avoid aggravating an existing injury.
Finding Oli McBurnie, 26, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, not guilty of a single charge of assault by beating, District Judge Leo Pyle said his judgment was based on evidence heard in court and “not the instant judgment of social media”. The Scotland star had been accused of stamping on Brinkley at Nottingham's City Ground in May.
