A 35-year-old man has admitted to assaulting Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramdsale during a premier league match on Wednesday.
The court heard that the incident occurred shortly after Ramsdale was seen celebrating his victory and collecting his belongings near the goal post, PA reported.
Joseph Watts pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court to assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
He was reported to have ran down from a set of stairs, jumped over a barrier and kicked Ramsdale, before running back to the stands. He admitted to being drunk and throwing four coins towards the pitch.
In a victim statement read to the court, Ramsdale explained that he went to see a masseuse after the incident as his back felt “heavy”, but there were no physical marks.
“I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me”, Ramsdale said. “I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work.”
The Football Association has “strongly condemned” the incident, whilst Tottenham has reassured fans that “violence in any form has no place in football”.
Watts has received a four-year football banning order, so he is not able to attend any matches. He was also handed a 12 month community order, and has to pay Ramsdale £100 in compensation for the incident.