Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie was injured when he was struck in the head by part of a seat apparently thrown by a supporter of his own team on Saturday.
MacKenzie was an unused substitute during the 2-1 loss at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, a result that saw Aberdeen drop to fifth place and outside the potential European qualification places on the final day of the season.
Aberdeen player Jack Mackenzie is hit by a seat thrown by one of his own supportersCredit: YouTube
MacKenzie was among people on the field after the match when he was hit by the plastic seat-part thrown from the away fans’ section in the upper deck of the stand. He was knocked over by the impact. He received medical treatment and taken away with a bandage around his head.
“All we know is Jack got a really bad injury as a player doing his job. This cannot happen in this way,” Aberdeen coach Jimmy Thelin told BBC Scotland.
“We have to get all the facts of what actually happened. … This cannot happen in this way.”
“I think everyone understands that is not okay. He got treatment already and the medical team did really well.
Aberdeen player Jack Mackenzie is wheeled from the field after being struck by the seat thrown by a fan.Credit: Twitter
“There is the shock also when this happens. You are a football player in a football game and get hit like that. We just take care of the player now and take it from there. He has had stitches.”
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin said: “I deliberately took myself off the pitch as quickly as I could because we’ve had previous with the Aberdeen supporters.”
“I’m really disappointed to hear young Jack has been hit by an object thrown by his own supporters. He’s inside having stitches now, it’s an absolute disgrace.
“It’s probably taken something as serious as this to happen for the authorities to finally step in and do something about it to identify these idiots who let down a really good club.”
Dundee United’s 2-1 comeback win clinched fourth place and a European spot.
Aberdeen’s Danish attacker Jeppe Okkels scored after 15 minutes. United levelled after 56 minutes through defender Declan Gallagher before loan striker Sam Dalby’s penalty in the 62nd minute secured United fourth, which brings a potential Europa League qualifying place, although Aberdeen are able to swipe it back if they win the Scottish Cup against Celtic next week.
