Exclusive: Suspensions update as Chris Wilder sparks Sheffield Utd v Plymouth chaos
Chris Wilder is now faced with punishment after appearing to be the “catalyst” for chaotic scenes after Sheffield United were beaten by Plymouth Argyle, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the incident will be investigated by the authorities after players from both teams clashed in the tunnel, with fines and suspensions likely to arrive for both clubs.
Emotions were high at Home Park on Saturday, 12 April, with the Blades being handed a huge blow to their promotion hopes following a shock 2-1 defeat to strugglers Plymouth, who continue to fight for their place in the Championship.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi had opened the scoring for the visitors, sending the away section into dreamland, only for Ryan Hardie and Muhamed Tijani to hit back and seal an unexpected victory at the bottom of the table.
Sheffield United suffer shock defeat against Plymouth Argyle
The Blades are now five points behind Leeds United and Burnley in the automatic spots, with Daniel Farke facing similar pressure at Elland Road to win promotion back to the Premier League.
Wilder was clearly upset after his team suffered the 2-1 defeat, confronting a pair of Plymouth players, Mustapha Bundu and Darko Gyabi, after the full-time whistle, and the manager could now face further punishment off the field after players piled in from both sides.
The Blades are now without a victory in three matches, losing back-to-back games against Oxford United and Millwall, with even more pressure being piled on top following a loss to the Pilgrims on Saturday.
His side could drop into the play-offs despite an incredible campaign from the Blades, and if he were to be fined, or even banned from the sidelines, it could have a huge impact on proceedings.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has even been linked with a Sheffield United return, with promotion an expectation at Bramall Lane, but that might no longer be the case this season.
Football Authorities to investigate as Chris Wilder sparks ugly scenes at Home Park
Speaking to Football Insider about the post-match clash inside the tunnel, the former referee said:
“The movement of the Sheffield United manager and the possible exchange of words may well have been the catalyst for the tunnel clash.
“The matter will be investigated by the football authorities, and I expect fines and suspensions.”
United next welcome Cardiff City to Bramall Lane, and with just four matches of the league campaign remaining, time is running out to secure automatic promotion.
Leeds and Burnley both claimed victory in their games this weekend, leaving Wilder’s side with plenty to do in the final weeks of the season, or risk dropping into the play-offs.