Sheffield Wednesday fan appears to mock death of former Sheffield United star George Baldock with sign on his phone during heated Steel City derby

A Sheffield Wednesday fan has been spotted holding up a sign on his phone appearing to mock the death of former Sheffield United defender George Baldock in the stands at Bramall Lane. 

Baldock – who was born in England but played international football for Greece since 2022 – was found dead in a swimming pool at his home near Athens on October 9, aged 31.

He had been playing for Panathinaikos since joining the 20-time Greek champions from the Blades in May but remained a fan favourite back home.

Last week, mourners including England stars Dele Alli and Dean Henderson gathered in Milton Keynes for his funeral, with the likes of Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and former teammate Oliver McBurnie also among those paying their respects to the right-back, known as ‘Starman’.

The Blades faced rivals Wednesday today for the first time since Baldock’s death and one supporter seemed to be displaying a sign on his phone reading, ‘Where’s Baldock?’, to home fans while another appeared to make an offensive gesture.

Baldock – who made over 400 appearances in English football – was found dead in a swimming pool at his home near Athens on October 9

The footballer moved to Greek club Panathinaikos and was found dead in his swimming pool

The act was a contrast to the club’s official response to the tragic passing of the former defender, with Sheffield Wednesday among those releasing tributes to Baldock following his death.

The side organised a minute’s applause for the Greek international and also laid flowers at a shrine at their rivals’ ground ahead of an under-21 derby match.

In the aftermath of today’s unsavoury incident, social media was awash with users condemning the apparent actions of the fan, with Chloe Bannan, wife of Wednesday captain Barry Bannan, saying: ‘That is absolutely abhorrent, and they’re nothing to do with Wednesday.’

The scenes in the stands mirrored those before the match as missiles were thrown between both sets of fans before police officers were forced to step in.

A large police operation was put in place as rival supporters made their way to the stadium but, as shown in several videos on social media, the animosity boiled over. 

One clip shows Wednesday fans being escorted down a road. A row of officers was deployed to separate the opposing supporters, many of whom were heard shouting expletives. 

In unsavoury scenes, flares and missiles were tossed toward the travelling contingent with one unfortunate fan struck on the head by a flying beer can. 

In return, Wednesday supporters shouted back and aimed rude gestures at their rivals.

Officers used police horses to keep the peace in the hours leading up to the Blades’ 1-0 win

On the pitch, Tyrese Campbell finally broke the deadlock with the game’s only shot on target

The Steel City derby is believed to be the most expensive Championship match to police and cost South Yorkshire Police £203,000 in March 2019.

On that occasion, Wednesday, the home side, were invoiced for £41,000. 

Ahead of Sunday’s game, South Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are working closely with both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, and the local council, ahead of this exciting derby game to ensure that everyone can enjoy the match.’

The match itself was a tense affair and required a second-half strike from Tyrese Campbell, in what was the game’s only shot on target, to secure the Blades a memorable victory in the first match-up between the two clubs in over five years. 

Wild celebrations greeted the final whistle in an electric atmosphere at Bramall Lane with Chris Wilder’s side now level on points with Championship leaders Sunderland. 

Their former cult hero Baldock made more than 400 appearances in English football and spent seven seasons with United until this summer, winning two promotions.  

He was found unresponsive in his pool after his partner, who was in the UK, reportedly raised the alarm because he was not answering his phone. 

Police investigating the drowning of the 31-year-old recovered CCTV showing him in the pool at his Greek luxury apartment, as sources said it showed him swimming vigorously, before suddenly stopping and then sinking.

The scene where Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens, Greece

Baldock was living in this property in the Greek capital after a move to club giant Panathinaikos

Pallbearers carried the coffin of Baldock at the ceremony in Milton Keynes in October

Ex-England star Dele Alli bowed his head as he paid tribute to his former MK Dons team-mate

The CCTV from a neighbouring property captured half the pool and showed him entering the water at about 6.45 in the evening, hours before his body was found.

Baldock’s family released a statement, revealing the footballer was due to fly home to celebrate his son’s first birthday – and describing how they now ‘mourn his loss’.

Paying tribute, they addressed Baldock, saying: ‘You were the most special father, fiancé, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person.

‘Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands’.

The family went on to say ‘it was impossible not to love him’, as they asked members of the public for privacy at this ‘devastating time’.