Opposing goalkeeper ‘attacked’ during Man City celebrations

Premier League champions Manchester City apologized to Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen after arguing it was the Swede who did it “attacked” during a pitch invasion as fans marked winning the championship.

City kept their Premier League crown gratitude to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Villa on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, sparking wild scenes as fans broke into the pitch after the final whistle.

Players from both sides clashed to move off the field and when asked if his men had got to the dressing rooms safely, Villa manager Steven Gerrard replied: “The answer is no. My goalkeeper was attacked.

“I think those questions should go to Pep [Guardiola] and Manchester City.”

The city soon stated an official release asserting they were investigating the claims.

“Manchester City would like to offer their sincere apologies to Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen who was tackled after the final whistle of today’s game as the fans took the field.” the message said.

“The club has launched an immediate investigation and once the person responsible is identified they will be given an indefinite stadium ban.”

Footage soon appeared of Olsen trying to drive off the pitch after the final whistle while being accompanied by stewards.

The 32-year-old Sweden international protect his face as fans crowd about him, although it appeared unclear if an apparent punch he accepted to the face was intentional.

AstonVilla agreed that the player was “absolutely okay” but took one “hit the back of the head” suggested that the matter was closed and they would not be filing a complaint.

Olsen himself posted an angry Instagram message blasting the fans so much as “Idiots.”

“These idiots who attacked me will not destroy my emotions for today’s game. I had the opportunity to make my debut for this fantastic club and we came close to getting a good result against tough opponents.” wrote the Swede, who footed in for Villa regular player Emiliano Martinez.

During the chaotic scenes, overzealous Man City fans were also seen rising the crossbar of one of the goals at the Etihad before the building completely crumpled.

English football has seen a series of contentious pitch invasions across the country towards the end of the season.

On Tuesday night, Everton fans applauded their survival in the Premier League by storming onto the pitch of their home at Goodison Park, with a fan becoming involved in an altercation with Crystal Place manager Patrick Vieira after he taunted him.

In even uglier scenes, a Nottingham Forest fan was detained for six months after he headbutted Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp after the Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

Further down the English football ladder, Swindon Town players were reportedly assaulted by Port Vale fans at the back of their playoff game in the Second Division.

Manchester City manager Guardiola said of the recent incident: “I am so sorry on behalf of the club. The emotions, it’s hard to understand why people react the way they do.

“Hopefully we can find out who did it and he will be punished. I don’t know how to stop this, you can’t put 1,000 guards [around the pitch].”

City kept their Premier League title in surprising circumstances on Sunday after failing 2-0 to Villa at the Etihad by the 76th minute.

A loss would have given Liverpool the title as the Reds hit back to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 in their accompanying game at Anfield.

But City dug deep to turn the title race in a great six-minute span in which they netted three times – twice through substitute Ilkay Gundogan and once through Rodri.

The title is Catalan boss Guardiola’s fourth title since joining City in 2016 and the sixth Premier League crown overall for the big-spending club.

Liverpool, who ended a single point behind their opponents in the standings, can look forward to the consolation of a Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris on Saturday.