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ENGLAND rugby star Jonny Hill has been accused of “putting a fan in a headlock and leaving him with a cut eye” after a semi-final defeat.
The reported incident occurred after Sale Sharks were defeated 31-23 by Bath in the Gallagher Premiership clash at the Recreation Ground.
Sale Sharks rugby star Jonny Hill has been accused of putting a fan in a headlock[/caption]
The England forward was involved as tempers flared at the end[/caption]
England forward Hill, who was not playing, was sitting in the stands with the Sharks coaches when tempers boiled over at the end of the tense game.
The 6ft 7in second row, who represented the British & Irish Lions, is alleged to have hurt a Bath supporter after the full-time whistle.
Hill watched the game from the stands at the Recreation Ground but was seen in a scuffle with a supporter who was sitting in an area for Bath players’ friends and families as he came down the stairs of the stand.
A 28-year-old man, who did not want to be named, was left with a cut above his right eye and broken sunglasses.
The anonymous fan said: “He snapped my sunglasses and cut the top of my eye.
“I was just giving him some banter. He was saying to me, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’”
Byron McGuigan, one of the Sale coaches, pulled Hill away before the fan complained of his injuries.
Hill has 13 caps for England, while Sale defence coach Paul Deacon was heard apologising to the supporter after the fracas.
The incident is said to have taken place as Hill left his seat following the final whistle of Sale’s 31-23 defeat.
Replacement Niall Annett scored a 74th-minute try to seal a dramatic victory for Bath to ensure they reached their first final for nine years.
A Sale statement said: “Sale Sharks are aware of an incident involving a player and Bath Rugby fan at the final whistle of today’s Semi-Final.
“The club will work with Bath Rugby to complete an investigation into the incident and will provide no further comment at this time.”
Asked about the incident, Sale boss Alex Sanderson said in his post-match press conference: “It is news to me.
“Jonny is not the aggressive type and I will answer those questions when I know.
“I can vouch for Jonny’s character. He is not an overly aggressive spiteful person.”
Sanderson was left disappointed after his side lost to miss out on a place in the Premiership final.
“It all ended a little bit earlier than what I thought it would. I’m frustrated because we were victims of our own demise as well in the second-half,” he added to TNT Sports.
“Too many penalties and too much possession lost by way of aerial contests.
“Underlying pride in the group. In many ways it’s been one of my most rewarding seasons.
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