England forward involved in fracas after Premiership semi-final as supporter put in ‘headlock’ and ‘cut’
Jonny Hill for Sale Sharks in 2024.
England and Sale Sharks lock Jonny Hill looks once again to have let his temper boil over as he grappled with a fan following the Premiership semi-final.
The second-row was alleged to have put the spectator in a headlock, breaking the fan’s sunglasses and cutting him above the eye.
Hill has been out of action since January after suffering a serious knee injury during a Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle, but was in attendance to watch Sale’s Premiership semi-final.
After the final whistle
Bath claimed the victory to move into the showpiece event before tensions spilled over off the field when the Red Rose forward scrapped with a supporter.
The 28-year-old spectator, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I was sat there, and he came down the stairs, grabbed me around the throat, snapped my sunglasses and cut the top of my eye. He was like saying to me ‘don’t ever do that again’.
“To be honest, all I want is a new pair of sunglasses. It is not football. I was sat with my partner and all her family (Bath fans). We were Worcester fans. I don’t want to make a big thing.”
The Sharks have since released a statement on the incident, insisting that it will be investigated.
“Sale Sharks are aware of an incident involving a player and Bath Rugby fan at the final whistle of today’s semi-final,” it read.
“The club will work with Bath Rugby to complete an investigation into the incident and will provide no comment at this time.”
‘Not a spiteful person’
Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson was asked about the incident at full-time but admitted that he had not seen anything untoward.
“It is news to me, Jonny is not the aggressive type and I will answer those questions when I know. I can vouch for Jonny’s character, he is not an overly aggressive, spiteful person,” he said.
While Sanderson was unaware of what went on, Sharks’ attack coach Paul Deacon was heard apologising to the supporter following the incident.
The fracas came after Sale just missed out on the final after narrowly going down to Bath at the Rec on Saturday.
They had moved into a 23-21 advantage midway through the second period, but Finn Russell’s penalty and Niall Annett’s try took the hosts into the Premiership’s showpiece event, where they will face Northampton Saints.