Hamza targeted with alleged racial abuse amid pitch invasion at Turf Moor

Sheffield United's hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League came to a bitter end at Turf Moor on Monday night — but the match was overshadowed by disturbing scenes following the final whistle.

As Burnley fans invaded the pitch to celebrate their 2-1 win — a result that sealed their promotion alongside Leeds United — Sheffield United's Hamza Choudhury was caught in the middle of the chaos and reportedly subjected to verbal and racial abuse.

Choudhury, who had played the full match, was confronted by at least one fan during the invasion. What began as taunts quickly escalated into a heated confrontation, with the midfielder needing to be physically restrained by club staff and security near the tunnel.

Sky Sports footage showed the Bangladesh international being pushed away by a police officer and later dragged down the tunnel as tensions flared.

Speaking after the match, Blades boss Chris Wilder expressed concern at the lack of security surrounding his players in the volatile scenes.

"We were told by the ref before that we'd get stewards surrounding us, but I think they went on the missing list. Completely on the missing list," Wilder said. "It was quite scary out there in the end, when people are coming and doing bits and pieces at you."

While Wilder did not confirm the exact nature of the abuse directed at Choudhury, he was clear that the interaction was hostile: "They weren't exactly going to say: 'All the best and good luck in the play-offs, shaking his hand.'"

"It's understandable that their emotions are running high, but I didn't think we got protected by the football club or the stewards one bit. I spoke to the referee afterwards and he noticed that," he added.

"When 40 or 50 lads are running at you, saying and doing bits and pieces at the end of a game, it's quite difficult to get off. But I'd be absolutely stunned if anything comes our way on that."

United — already fined several times this season for failing to control their players — await the referee's match report. If the incident involving Choudhury is included, the club are expected to cite the lack of stewarding as mitigation.

On the pitch, Choudhury was one of United's standout performers. He completed 42 of 47 passes with 89% accuracy and broke up several Burnley attacks — winning two of three tackles, making five clearances (four of them headers), and recording seven ball recoveries.

Josh Brownhill scored both goals for Burnley — the opener from a rebound and a second-half penalty after a foul on Zeki Amdouni. Tom Cannon's goal brought United level, but despite late pressure, the Blades couldn't find another equaliser.

With two games left — away at Stoke and home to Blackburn — United must now regroup and prepare for the play-offs in their bid to reach the Premier League.