Apprentice winner Leah Totton has been slammed for trying to get publicity off the back of a football fan left horrifically scarred by a knife-wielding rival.
Everton supporter Jay Burns said he ‘can’t even look at myself in the mirror’ after he was left needing more than 20 stitches when he was slashed in a fight ahead of his team’s FA Cup match with Millwall at the weekend.
Footage of the brawl shows another man seemingly swing a weapon as the two sets of supporters clashed in south London.
Former winner of the BBC’s Apprentice, Dr Totten, raced onto Twitter to offer Mr Burns free treatment to improve the appearance of the scar.
But the TV surgeon was blasted by many online, who accused her of trying to turn the attack into a marketing opportunity.
One follower wrote: ‘You should be ashamed of yourself. This isn’t a selfless act or amazing gesture because you’re such a kind-hearted person. It’s a disgusting attempt at gaining exposure in something currently trending, which unfortunately is working. Viral marketing at its sickening finest.’
Apprentice winner Leah Totton (pictured) has been slammed for trying to get publicity off the back of football fan Jay Burns (right), who was left horrifically scarred by a knife-wielding rival
The comments came after Ms Totton tweeted: ‘Gosh this poor man, how awful to do that to someone’s face! If anyone knows this chap, please tell him to get in touch with Dr Leah Clinics once his stitches are out- we would like to offer him treatment for the scar to minimise it as much as possible, free of charge.’
Mr Burns was injured when violent scenes erupted outside Surrey Quays station in south-east London as the two sets of fans engaged in a huge punch-up before making their way to Millwall’s stadium, where the London side pulled off a shock win.
Sharing a picture of the stitches on his five-inch scar, the fan wrote: ‘Absolutely devastated about my face.
‘Nice one to all the Everton lads and everyone who has messaged me and the Liverpool lads who have messaged me, much appreciated.
‘I can’t even look at myself In the mirror. Daft c*** award goes to me again.’
The travelling support were confronted as they arrived and a large group of match-goers fought by Southwark Park in the build-up to kick off.
The two sets of supporters swung a flurry of punches at each other as the hectic scene was recorded by police with GoPro cameras.
Dr Leah’s tweet offering free treatment was branded a publicity stunt by critics online
This shot appears to show the moment a man draws a blade during the football brawl
The fan walked away with a nasty slash to the face following the mass brawl before the game
Police officers on horses eventually managed to break up the brawl by using batons as one man walked away with a nasty gash down the side of his face.
Following the fights, a police spokesperson confirmed that the knife injury sustained by one supporter was not thought to be life-threatening.
The Metropolitan Police released a statement on the incident that read: ‘At around 16:42hrs officers became aware of a large group of males fighting in the Hawkstone Road area.
‘One male aged in his 20s was discovered suffering from a slash wound to the face. He was taken by LAS to a south London hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening.
‘A crime scene remains in place. Officers worked to separate the groups with support from the Mounted Branch. At this early stage, there have been no arrests.’
The two sets of supporters fought by Southwark Park in the build-up to kick off at The Den
Detective Inspector Darren Young, of the South Central Command Unit, added: ‘The behaviour of those involved in this incident is nothing short of disgraceful and those involved can be certain we will be working to identify them.
‘We are aware of the video circulating online, which has quite rightly elicited shock and disgust. We are looking at it and urge anyone with information that could assist police to call 101 referring CAD 5117/26 Jan.’
More fights broke out in the surrounding areas of Millwall’s ground, as big groups of Toffee fans chanted songs while walking past a pub full of Lions supporters.
Glasses, chairs and other objects were hurled from the pub’s beer garden as the large group of Everton fans stood on the other side of the road.
Missiles were thrown back at the pub’s garden as cars slowly drove by due to the large number of fans occupying the road.
One resident who recorded the clashes described the conflict as ‘too much’ before noticing that nearby cars were getting damaged because of the thrown objects.
Everton supporters arriving by coach were also confronted by Millwall fans before they made their way to the ground.
As police guarded the side door of the coach, Lions supporters goaded the travelling fans before a bottle was thrown at one of the bus windows.
Chants of ‘Millwall’ were shouted by some before both sets of fans made their way into the Championship ground.