A DENTON man has been hit with a three-year football banning order after a pitch invasion following a Premier League title decider.
Daniel Potts was captured on CCTV cameras at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium climbing over a three foot-high advertising board after a ‘surge’ of supporters climbed safety barriers and pushed through stewards.
That came as the Blues defeated Aston Villa 3-2 to win the league on May 22 and the club itself was charged by the Premier League after Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen was ‘attacked’ and a crossbar broken.
The body said: “It is alleged that after the final whistle of this fixture that Manchester City failed to ensure that its spectators – and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers – conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and/or violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch.”
And 26-year-old Potts, of Thompson Road, was handed his ban at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 17.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of going onto the playing area without lawful authority or lawful excuse under the Football (Offences) Act 1991.
Potts, described by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as a ‘lifelong Manchester City fan’, was also ordered to pay a fine, costs and a victim surcharge all amounting to £807.
Greater Manchester Police said in the aftermath of the case the banning order sentence ‘sends out a clear message to other supporters’ that pitch encroachment won’t be tolerated.
In a statement, the force said: “Footage captured on Manchester City CCTV cameras shows Potts firstly step across the first barrier during the final seconds of the game.
“As soon as the final whistle is blown a surge of supporters climb across the first safety barrier and push through the line of stewards stood in front of the stand.
“These supporters, including Potts, then climb over a three-foot advertisement board and on to the playing area.
“He is then one of the first groups of supporters who encroached on to the playing area.”
PC Matt Ford, of GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit, said: “With the fixture being the last of the 2021/22 football season and the title decider, it was categorised as ‘high risk’ in terms of public safety, public disorder, and any related criminal activity.
“Messages were displayed around the stadium before the full-time whistle reminding supporters that pitch encroachment is an offence as well as being an agreed condition of entry under the terms and conditions when purchasing a ticket to attend a regulated football fixture in the UK.
“This sentencing shows the importance of football fans listening to that advice going forward as well as being aware of the proactive measures by the authorities and clubs to help tackle this illegal form of behaviour to ensure the safety of spectators as well as the players on the pitch.
“The football banning order sends out a clear message to other supporters that disorderly, anti-social and volatile behaviour at football matches is not acceptable.
“Measures going into this season with stronger sanctions are to tackle the poor fan behaviour seen at matches nationally, including this fixture in the last campaign.”
Potts apologised for his actions but Adrian Hollamby for CPS North West said: “The CPS are committed to taking a robust stance towards tackling football-related disorder as we continue to play a crucial role in making sports such as football safe for the players and for the vast majority of supporters who want to attend and enjoy sport in a safe environment.
“The CPS is also currently working with the football clubs, player bodies and organisations, like the Premier League, the English Football League and the Football Association to explain what evidence is required to charge to help clubs and the leagues protect their players by ensuring we have all the evidence we need to build the strongest case possible.”