The incident occurred during a heated Sheffield derby at Bramall Lane on Sunday. South Yorkshire Police are investigating after a social media image appeared to show a Sheffield Wednesday fan mocking George Baldock’s death during Sunday’s derby match against Sheffield United.
Baldock, a seven-year United player, died in Athens last month after drowning in a swimming pool.
Wednesday issued a statement on social media following the game at Bramall Lane, saying: “The club is aware of an image circulating on social media and strongly condemns this heinous act.”
“We are working together with South Yorkshire Police on an immediate investigation and make it absolutely clear that there is no place in football or society for such appalling behaviour.”
Tragedy abuse is a public order offense punishable by legislation in the United Kingdom, with a maximum prison penalty of six months. Baldock joined Greek team Panathanaikos this summer after helping the Yorkshire club win two promotions to the Premier League.
The 31-year-old was discovered lifeless in his pool after his fiancee, who was back in the UK, raised the alarm after he did not answer his phone.
Last month, in Sheffield United’s first encounter since Baldock’s death, a minute’s silence evolved into a minute of clapping and chanting, and representatives from both clubs lay flowers in homage. There were also flags and shirts with Baldock’s name and likeness, as well as Greece flags, which he represented internationally, throughout the Blades’ part of the crowd. Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, planned a minute’s applause for the defender and left flowers at a shrine at their opponents’ stadium ahead of an under-21 rivalry match.
However, Sunday’s Championship derby was heated, with police having to separate fans from an altercation outside the stadium prior to kickoff.
Tyrese Campbell scored early in the second half to give the Blades a 1-0 victory in the first Steel City derby in over five years at Bramall Lane. Campbell’s low effort beat Owls goalkeeper James Beadle and propelled the Blades back into the top two of the Sky Bet Championship, level on points with leaders Sunderland.
Wednesday, who failed to test home keeper Michael Cooper save for a late header from Dominic Iorfa, have not beaten their city rivals in over 12 years.
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