Police say they are to review an incident after being made aware by a gone viral video following the Bolton v Blackpool game on Saturday.
@BigCarver999 captioned his tweet: “@SeasidersPolice Do you think this is acceptable behaviour by @gmpolice? I count 8 baton strikes from the officer whilst 4 other officers have the detainee on the floor and totally under control. This is absolutely disgusting and I hope that this is raised from Lancs police.
“@gmpolice @AndyBurnhamGM @LancsPolice @policeconduct I will await your reply on this clear assault by a GMP police officer. Thanks.
“@SeasidersPolice @gmpolice @AndyBurnhamGM @policeconduct @LancsPolice can somebody contact me please as I want to report a crime by the officer baton striking someone whilst they are already detained by 4 other officers. Excessive use of force which constitutes assault. Thanks.”
British Transport Police responded: “We are aware of this video circulating online. This incident involves officers from @BTP, and we are currently reviewing the incident.”
Replying to @BTP, @BigCarver999 said: “Can I ask you will be referring the footage to @policeconduct for them to decide about excessive use of force and the lack of professionalism within this policing serial ?
“Can I have an update on this video please and ask if it has been submitted to @policeconduct? Also, when it is reviewed where will I see the outcome please?”
@SeasidersPolice Do you think this is acceptable behaviour by @gmpolice ? I count 8 baton strikes from the officer whilst 4 other officers have the detainee on the floor and totally under control. This is absolutely disgusting and I hope that this is raised from Lancs police pic.twitter.com/RaHcltLIQB
— Carver (@BigCarver999) February 21, 2026
We are aware of this video circulating online. This incident involves officers from @BTP, and we are currently reviewing the incident.
— British Transport Police (@BTP) February 22, 2026
The game itself saw Mason Burstow come off the bench to score an 85th-minute equaliser, earning Bolton a 2-2 draw against Blackpool.
Bolton had taken the lead through Eoin Toal’s header on 66 minutes, but then Blackpool scored two goals in five minutes, looking for their first win at Bolton since 1986.
But then Hayden Coulson got the equaliser, shortly following by substitute George Honeyman punishing Bolton goalkeeper Jack Bonham’s mistake to make it 2-1 Blackpool.
Evatt, who was sacked by Bolton in January 2025, came within five minutes from a big win, until Burstow then headed in fellow substitute Thierry Gale’s cross.
Blackpool came close to a winner, with Ashley Fletcher’s chance coming back off the post.
The result sees Bolton stay 3rd in League One with 58 points from 34 games played, 10 points behind 2nd place Lincoln, who also have a game in hand.
Blackpool meanwhile are 18th with 37 points from 33 games played, 3 points above the drop zone.
Bolton’s Steven Schumacher, said to the club media: “I think the three draws this week have been three hard games, let’s have it right,” said the Wanderers’ boss. “Lincoln’s one of the toughest places to go, Reading is a team who are really in form and Blackpool today, with the ex-manager coming and trying to do everything not to lose in a local derby, so they were tough games.
“We would have liked to have taken more points. I thought we deserved to win at Reading, I thought on the edge of it we could have won this game, but also could have lost it, so we’re unbeaten in nine. That’s the positive but we need to just keep going and try and win on Saturday.”
“We had so much control of the game and were really good for large parts of it,” Schumacher added. “We got ourselves in front, deservedly so, and then within a few minutes we found ourselves somehow 2-1 behind, so I was disappointed with that.
“Again, we had to show good character to come from behind and get something from the game. In the end could have won it with Thierry’s shot and in the end could have lost it when they hit the post.
“I’ve said the lads who are coming off the bench for us lately are doing really well. I thought Max was positive when he came on, Thierry did really well, looked really sharp and gets the assist for Mason’s goal and Johnny Kenny again looked lively when he came on.
“I was pleased for Mason. He’s got 10 goals now and I’m delighted for him and we’ve always said we’ve got a good selection of wingers here. Thierry was excellent today when he came on and that’s what we need, because it’s going to be a squad game. It’s going to be difficult in the running, so we’re going to need everyone.”
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt said, as per the club website: “In terms of the game, it’s as hard as it can get.
“They are a good squad of players with a lot of attacking talent, they often score late goals and are good in and out of possession.
“We are going to take it to them because that is the only way we know how and we will see where that takes us. But we are aware that it is going to be a tough game.
“If we can see the consistency that we showed on Tuesday, we will give ourselves a good chance.
“I had four and a half years there and it was great, however it was disappointing how things ended as we were, as a club, not where we wanted to be.
“We had promotions, a cup win, back-to-back play off campaigns – all things I am extremely proud of.
“It was the right time for both parties to part ways and Steven (Schumacher) has carried the torch and been great since arriving there.
“There will be no-one more determined than me on Saturday to go and try and win.
“Unfortunately, Albie (Morgan) has had to have surgery,” he said.
“He travelled to London this week for an observation and the ligament where the injury was had not healed properly.
“Albie is a big part of our long-term plans for the club so we could not risk worsening an ankle that was not fit for purpose.
“So unfortunately, he is out for the remainder of the season.
“George (Honeyman) is back in contention for the weekend – as is Michael Iheiwke too,” Evatt said.
“Joel Randall has also recovered well but cannot feature against his parent club.”
🗣️ “A week is a long time in football. It was a great response from the group.”
Ian Evatt’s thoughts on today’s 2-2 draw.
🍊 #UTMP | @sbk pic.twitter.com/3eqT3GS8Jd
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) February 21, 2026