MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 18:53:32| >> :120:60574:60574:

Karl Robinson calls for police involvement after headbutt allegation

Karl Robinson calls for police involvement after headbutt allegation
© Reuters
Karl Robinson claims his goalkeeper Jack Stevens was headbutted during a half-time incident in Oxford's 3-1 defeat at Sunderland.

Oxford manager Karl Robinson alleged his goalkeeper Jack Stevens was headbutted during a half-time bust-up against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

A hot-tempered afternoon on Wearside, when the Black Cats won 3-1 to stay third in the hunt for a top-two place in Sky Bet League One, had incidents in the tunnel at the end of both halves.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson also hinted there were things he was not happy with concerning the visitors' camp, while Robinson suggested the police will be involved. The exact nature of the events is unclear.

The Oxford manager said: "We have asked the police to come. Their players have seen it, our players have seen it.

"My player certainly felt it. But for some unknown reason there is no footage. Ironic here, isn't it.

"My goalkeeper, he was headbutted at half-time, there was a massive brawl in there. I think there was just handbags. I walked in at half-time, quite calm. I was calm for large parts of the game."

Johnson suggested there was more trouble at the end of the game, and it remains to be seen what referee Trevor Kettle includes in his report.

The Sunderland boss said: "Genuinely, I didn't see what happened at half-time. I was in the toilet, waiting for the boys in the dressing room wondering where everybody was.

"It was probably a good thing because I would have been like Scrappy Doo in there. Look, it happens all the time, especially in a condensed area. It was handbags a lot of it.

"It happened at the end as well, which is not ideal, and I think that one was provoked, to be honest with you.

"As a football club, I want us to act with class, but I also want us to look after each other when there's moments."

He added: "He's (Robinson) got to be careful. I'll tell you that. When it comes to the narrative of any argument, there are always two sides to any story. Let me tell you, there was a lot of Oxford staff that didn't come out of it smelling of roses, let's just say that."

Sunderland had to come from behind to claim maximum points after James Henry had fired Oxford in front in the 21st minute.

After Lynden Gooch had levelled in first half stoppage-time, Sunderland made the most of Mark Sykes' red card just after the hour when the Oxford midfielder picked up a second yellow for a tackle on Luke O'Nien.

Aiden McGeady put Sunderland in front with nine minutes left after Max Power's quickly-taken free-kick. Power himself added the third deep into injury-time on the break as the Black Cats remined two points behind second-place Peterborough.

Robinson, whose side sit four points outside the play-off zone, was also red carded for his complaints to Kettle after Sunderland's second goal.

He said: "It was a good game of football, spoiled by you know who. I don't want to say his name. The decisions have baffled me.

"We had a player down for that second goal. There was a duty of care to see if the player was injured, the man in the middle wanted to make it about him. I respect Trevor, had him a lot.

"I'm frustrated because the players were excellent, even down to 10 men. For us to come here, we performed bravely.

"This could be the motivation we need to see us through and to see us meet these again in the play-offs."

ID:441629: cacheID:441629:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5067:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brandon Barker in action for Rangers in October 2020
Read Next:
Rangers winger Brandon Barker joins Oxford on loan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!