A Spurs fan Joseph Watts has been banned from football matches for four years after he attacked Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the north London derby.
Ramsdale, 24, was kicked in the back after the Gunners beat Spurs 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January.
Spurs fan Joseph Watts, 35, from Dalston, east London, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating, according to BBC.
Spurs fan Joseph Watts was also given a community order and told to pay Ramsdale £100 compensation.
Ramsdale had been instrumental in securing Arsenal’s 2-0 win between the two close rivals on 15 January.
The court heard he had been celebrating the victory and collecting his belongings from behind the goal when he was attacked.
Tottenham supporter Watts ran down the stairs from where he was sitting, climbed over a barrier and onto an advertising banner, before kicking Ramsdale and running back into the stands.
He also admitted to throwing four coins onto the pitch during the match.
In a victim statement read to the court, Ramsdale said he had to see a masseuse because his back felt “heavy”, but there were no marks to his skin.
“I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me, I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work,” he said.
The England international added he had become more wary about similar incidents happening in the future.
‘Immediate ban’
Joseph Watts admitted he was drunk at the time having had six pints, while the court heard he was considered to be of good character.
In addition to the assault charge, he pleaded guilty to throwing a missile on to a football playing area and going on to an area adjacent to a playing area.
Shortly after the attack, Tottenham said the fan would face “an immediate ban”.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the Football Association (FA) also condemned what happened.