Rival fans assault English player

Chesterfield - English club Chesterfield says a player has given a statement to police after he said rival fans punched, kicked and spat on him following a game.

Captain Ian Evatt said on Twitter that Preston fans assaulted him during a pitch invasion following a third-tier play-off game. Preston won to reach the final when a place in the second tier is at stake.

Evatt tweeted: "To be attacked on a football pitch and fear for your safety is an absolute disgrace(.) I was punched kicked and spat on several times."

The defender used to play for Preston's fierce northwest rival Blackpool.

Chesterfield tweeted: "Ian Evatt has given a statement to police following an alleged assault as he left the pitch today, surrounded by fans."