Oxford United manager Karl Robinson has revealed that goalkeeper Jack Stevens was headbutted in a half time altercation at the Stadium of Light.
Match Report: Sunderland 3-1 Oxford United
Speaking to the Northern Echo, the U’s boss said: “My goalkeeper, he was head-butted at half-time.
“There was a massive brawl in there. It’s not just allegations, we have asked the police to come.
“Their players have seen it, our players have seen it. My player certainly felt it.
“But for some unknown reason, there is no footage. Ironic here, isn’t it? This club has had cameras for the last two years than any other club in football, yet there’s no cameras down in the tunnel at half-time.”
With the game level at the break, tempers were high as both sets of players headed into their dressing rooms. Words were also exchanged between both benches.
With three yellow cards in the first half, the feisty atmosphere continued after the restart as referee Trevor Kettle handed out a further five yellow cards and two red cards. Midfielder Mark Sykes was awarded a second yellow while Robinson was dismissed following Sunderland’s controversial second goal.
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Speaking about the decision to send Sykes off, Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “That’s a second booking, but he’s tried to win the ball.
“No Oxford fan would criticise him for throwing his body to try and get something out of it.
“I’m proud of how my players fought for each other, afterwards and at half-time.”
Sunderland’s second goal came from a free-kick. Cameron Brannagan conceded the set-piece on the edge of the box but stayed down after the challenge. Kettle allowed the hosts to take the set play and Aiden McGeady curled the effort past Stevens.
Robinson, who was dismissed for his protests, added: “I got sent off for saying ‘that was a bleeping disgrace and you need to do your bleeping job’.”
“Cameron Brannagan’s on the floor and he only got up because he had to. He’s struggling because of the tackle and they score.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Lee Johnson also confirmed an incident at the interval. Speaking to Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo, Johnson said: “It’s got a little bit Royal Rumble at half-time. It’s not something that we encourage. There’s always a lot of different stories.”
“He’s (Robinson) got to be careful, I’ll tell you that,” he added. “When it comes to the narrative of any argument, there are always two sides to any story.
“Let me tell you, there was a lot of Oxford staff that didn’t come out of it smelling of roses, let’s just say that.
“I didn’t see the first incident (at half-time), but I saw the second one and, for me, it was really stepping over the mark. So, I think there’s a bit of deflection in there from a few people.”
