Pitch invader may face life ban

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11 December 2012

The Manchester City fan who ran on to the pitch and tried to confront Rio Ferdinand in Sunday's derby match could be banned from the club for life - despite his apology.

Matthew Stott, 21, had to be restrained by City keeper Joe Hart and was arrested following Robin van Persie's late winner at the Etihad Stadium.

Stott was subsequently charged with pitch encroachment and then issued an apology through his solicitors in which he said he was "extremely ashamed" of his actions.

But a City spokesman said: "His season card has been immediately removed for the rest of the season and he has been charged to appear at court. If he is found guilty he faces a lifetime ban."

The trouble also saw Ferdinand injured by a coin which was thrown from the crowd during the goal celebrations, causing a gash above his left eye. The perpetrator is still being hunted by police who are scouring the ground's CCTV footage.

Speaking through his solicitors, Stephen Lickrish and Associates, Stott confessed his guilt - and said sorry to the Manchester United defender.

The landscape gardener, from Knutsford, said: "I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players. I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club. I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans."

Earlier Greater Manchester Police charged nine people, including Stott, following the trouble. Stott, of Southfields, Knutsford, and Christopher Johnson, 52, of Ancoats Lane, Alderley Edge, were both charged with pitch encroachment.

The other seven people charged are: Peter Harrison, 30, of Springfield Road, Kearsley, Bolton, was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. Warren Singh, 19, of Oakdale Drive, Heald Green, Stockport, was charged with a public order offence.

Sam Weatherby, 21, of Grant Street, Farnworth, Bolton, and Philip O'Leary, 24, of Heysbank Road, Disley, Stockport, were each charged with breaching football banning orders. Christopher O'Neil, 21, of Swainsthorpe Drive, Manchester, Andrew Martin, 20, of Northdale Drive, and Nicholas Morley, 21, of Chapel Lane, both Blackley, were all charged with being drunk and disorderly. All are due before Manchester City Magistrates' Court on January 4.

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