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Football fans are calling for Billy Sharp to receive a prolonged ban after the Sheffield United striker appeared to throw a punch during a match on Saturday.

However, four defeats in eight league games since the start of February have seen their healthy cushion at third place Middlesbrough dwindle to just four points with 10 games still to play.

Automatic promotion to the Premier League is no longer a certainty, and while Paul Heckingbottom’s side have had an unexpected run to the FA Cup quarter-finals, tensions at Bramall Lane are beginning to show.

The frustrations have now boiled down to what can only be described as a moment of madness from veteran striker Sharp.

The 37-year-old striker came off the bench just after Carlton Morris had given Luton the lead, soon colliding with one of his opponents.

Chasing a ball thrown forward, Sharp battled for the ball with defender Tom Lockyer and appeared to hit the Wales international.

The incident left the defender lying on the grass, but referee Leigh Doughty signaled for play to start despite protests from the Luton players.

On Twitter, fans of Luton and other clubs could not understand how Sharp was not sent off and called for action to be taken.

“That’s really mugging,” @FrankieHolliday argued, while @wfc_westy said: “What is Sharp trying to do there, and how come the officials haven’t seen it? The refereeing standard in the EFL is absolutely horrible. That’s a straight red.”

Some, like @ftbl_nb, called for Sharp to receive a ban. “If this isn’t a three-game ban, then I don’t know anymore.”

This isn’t the first time Sharp has caused controversy this season. The striker found himself embroiled in a war of words with Wrexham players and staff after Sheffield United and the Welsh side drew 3-3 in the FA Cup fourth round.

On this latest incident, Wrexham fan @cathelizabeth said: “Billy sharp on that again, how is this right?”