Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie Injured by Object Thrown Amid Chaotic Pitch Invasion at Tannadice

Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie was left with a serious facial injury after being struck by a part of a seat thrown from the stands during a post-match pitch invasion at Tannadice. The incident occurred following Aberdeen’s 2-1 defeat to Dundee United in the final round of the Scottish Premiership, a result that saw the hosts clinch fourth place.

MacKenzie, an unused substitute, was on the field after the final whistle when he was hit by the plastic object, which Aberdeen officials confirmed was launched from the section housing their own fans. The club responded with a strongly worded statement expressing its anger over the event, calling the attack “a serious facial injury” and asserting that they are “dismayed and outraged” by what happened.

The statement added: “We await further information, but what we know for sure, the chair was thrown from the stand in which the Aberdeen supporters were being housed. As such, we are calling on all fans who may have witnessed this event to contact the club to provide any information that may assist us in our investigations and wider discussions with the relevant authorities. When the perpetrator is identified, we will take the strongest possible action available to us.”

Police Scotland also confirmed the severity of the incident, saying MacKenzie was treated at the scene and will need further medical attention. Authorities have issued a public appeal for witnesses and video footage to help identify the individual responsible.

Match Commander Superintendent Ray Birnie condemned the act: “This was a mindless act which has seriously injured the player, resulting in him needing medical treatment. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I'd appeal to all fans to help us trace the person responsible. If you were in the Fair Play Stand and witnessed what happened, please do the right thing and come forward. I'd also urge anyone who has mobile phone footage to review it and bring anything of importance to our attention.”

The match had already carried tension after a previous encounter at the same venue saw United manager Jim Goodwin targeted with projectiles by Aberdeen fans. Goodwin again experienced hostility and made a hasty retreat from the pitch. He later 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.”

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin echoed those sentiments and told BBC Scotland: “This is unacceptable and can't happen. We have to get all the facts of what actually happened. All we know is Jack got a really bad injury as a player doing his job. This cannot happen in this way.”

He reiterated after the match: “What’s happened is totally unacceptable. It is a bad injury, but Jack is OK so let’s see how it feels after more minutes. It really, really bad. I haven’t seen exactly what happened but our player got hurt, bad. Everyone understands that is not OK.”

As investigations continue, Aberdeen, the SPFL, and Police Scotland have all pledged to work together to find those responsible and ensure firm action is taken.

_{Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @aberdeenfc}