Shocking footage has captured the moment a South Yorkshire police officer brutally hit a teenager across the head with a baton.
In the video - which you can watch above - a policeman can be seen running towards a young football fan before a loud snapping sound is heard.
The teen falls to the floor shortly after with the officer trying to keep him down while splats of blood mark the pavement.Onlookers watch on in shock, with some attempting to remonstrate the officer.
It comes after the Barnsley versus Sheffield Wednesday game on Saturday (Feb 8) at 4.55pm, when two young men - both 16 years old - were reportedly seen squaring each other up after the match.
The footage was taken and posted on Facebook by Spencer White, 17, who describes the officer's actions as "completely uncalled for".
Since being posted, the video has gained more than 9.5K shares and almost 160K views.
The video caption reads: “I thought [police] were supposed to protect people. Disgusting. The second copper also smashed my phone which I didn’t think was allowed.
“Two lads were scrapping and then he runs in and hits one in the head which was uncalled for completely.”
Speaking to PA news agency, Spencer said there were “fights popping off randomly” between fans in the area when the match ended.
He then added: “He could have been killed, really.”
After the 16-year-old is knocked down to the ground a woman can be heard shouting at the officer.
Believed to be his mother, she screams: "What have you done to my son you f****** idiot!"
Other onlookers can be heard nearby saying: "Oh no, there's no f****** need for that."
The officer who hit the teen continues to hold him down while asking others to step back.
Another onlooker who filmed the incident reportedly said that police smashed his phone after they realised he had filmed the incident.
Match commander, chief superintendent Sarah Poolman said: “A full open investigation, including extended video footage, will take place to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Including the actions which led to a 16-year-old boy sustaining a head injury from an officer’s baton and an officer being assaulted, sustaining injuries to his stomach and head.
“The 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital by ambulance. The police officer also attended hospital. Both of their injuries and not life-threatening.
“A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency service worker.
“He has been released under investigation.”
She asked anyone with information, including video footage, to contact 101.
