National League clash descends into chaos as player appears to throw punch in ‘absolute tear-up’

Sutton United and Rochdale players clashed on the pitch following a dramatic end to their National League match.

The hosts took the lead on 78 minutes through Charlie Bell, but let it slip shortly before stoppage time as Devante Rodney equalised.

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Rochdale then nicked all three points in south London thanks to Ian Henderson, who netted from close range in the seventh minute of stoppage time to spark wild celebrations.

It’s a victory that keeps them top of the National League, but some of the post-match scenes overshadowed the performance.

Footage taken by talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams shows tensions boiling over on the pitch.

Sutton’s Hayden Muller is then seen running towards the centre circle and clashing with a Rochdale player.

Muller pushes them, but then appears to throw a punch towards Connor McBride.

Players and staff from both teams sprinted over to try and diffuse the situation, with a couple of people seen falling to the turf.

Security officials were also involved before the clash simmered down.

Muller was shown a second yellow card following the incident, but he could face further action following Saturday’s events.

Dramatic dust-up

Recalling the incident when speaking to talkSPORT’s Abrahams after the match, McNulty said: “Just an absolute tear up I think.

“It reminded me of 3am city centre kind of stuff that you don’t really know how it started.

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“And then you’re finding it difficult to stop because everyone’s got hold of each other.

“And there’s bodies rolling around on the floor underneath the swell of individuals that all want to suddenly kill each other.”

When asked about how his players are, McNulty added: “There’s a few scratches and scars.

“Well, not scars, but there’s a few scratches and bruises in there from people being gripped around the necks and whatnot.

“I don’t really know in this moment, but everyone seems all right.”

National League drama

Sutton and Rochdale both have five National League games left to play this season.

There has been some controversy in the fifth-tier recently though as Wealdstone released a statement regarding their player Sak Hassan.

He played in the new season of Baller League for Prime FC, created by Dagenham and Redbridge co-owner and internet star KSI.

Hassan is now expected to not play for the club throughout the rest of the season amid a breach of his playing contract.

Francis Mampolo and Alfie Matthews also played in Baller League, and have since left Dover Athletic as a result.