York pledge to support Boateng over fan incident
York City say they will back midfielder Hiram Boateng "through all proceedings" after footage appeared to show him punching a Rochdale fan.
Hiram Boateng scored three goals in 44 National League appearances for York City this season [Getty Images] York City have said they will support midfielder Hiram Boateng "through all proceedings" after a video appeared to show him punching a Rochdale fan in Saturday's National League title decider. In the chaotic scenes that followed York's 103rd minute equaliser which secured promotion to the EFL , footage appears to show a fan putting his hands on a York player who was on his knees on the pitch with his head on the ground, and, after an intervention by two stewards, the player standing up and breaking free before seeming to punch the fan in the face. Greater Manchester Police released a statement on Sunday to say they were "assessing the video and reviewing CCTV of the incident" and were in touch with both clubs and the National League.
"It will be important in the coming days for there to be a proper reflection and assessment of the circumstances around the end of the game, what happened and what can be learned," York said in a statement on X . "As a club, we are committed to assisting with any review, and we will support all our players and staff in contributing to this. "We will be supporting Hiram through all proceedings.
" BBC Sport has approached Greater Manchester Police and the National League for further comment. Boateng, 30, joined York from Mansfield last summer and made 44 league appearances this season. On Sunday, police said four Rochdale fans were arrested following incidents at the match, one on suspicion of assault and pitch incursion, one on suspicion of a public order offence, and two on suspicion of pitch incursion.
One male York City fan was arrested on suspicion of assault, with police saying he would be interviewed at a later date. The incidents are also under investigation by the Football Association. The result saw York claim the National League title, and the lone automatic promotion place with 108 points, while Rochdale finished second on 106.