A football fan admitted that he had attacked Manchester City and England star Jack Grealishe by beating his face after the football player had insulted him, he claimed.
Alfie Holt, 20, argued guilty of a single count of Assault on Grealish, who, according to him, had called him a “small ugly W *****”, after the Manchester Derby in April, heard the Court of Manchester.
Holt, a ticket holder from Manchester United in the end of Stretford, also received a three -year prohibition and fined £ 120, with £ 85 costs and a surcharge of £ 48.
The suspect, Van Droylsden, Tameside, said to the court: “I did not expect him to say what he said to me and I responded. I am sorry. That is it.”
Shazia Aslam, persecution, said that the Gealish court left the field after the Manchester Derby in Old Trafford, which was broadcast on Sky Sports, with a sold -out crowd and was always a “controversial affair”.
“Both sets fans were very vocal and shouted offensive comments to rival players,” said Mrs. Aslam.
The court heard that when players left the field, on the way to the tunnel, Has was very close and abuse shouted with players of Manchester City.
“As the complainant, Jack Grealish, a player in Manchester City, the tunnel area enters, he hears the suspicious comments screaming against him. He turns around and walks towards him. Both have an altercation.
“While the complainant walks away, the suspect beats the complainant over the face. There was no injury. He was arrested outside the stadium.”
In a witness statement, Grealish told the police that he could not hear what the suspect was shouting because of the crowd's audience, so he walked towards him and tried to start a conversation and leaned on to talk to the suspect.
He still couldn't hear, so he moved to walk away when he was beaten.
After his arrest, the police told that he had been drinking for the “in the city” game and went to the game with his father. He told the police that he was screaming abuse with players of Manchester City, including Phil Foden, who ignored him.
He then shouted: “K *******” To Grealish, who responded and an “verbal exchange of words took place,” the court heard.
Holt told the police Grealisk said to him: “You small, ugly W *****,” and he “turned” and put his hand out and hit the football player.
Magistrates were shown a short clip of the incident who had no noise.
Mrs Aslam added: “The suspect uses strength against a player. Players are extremely vulnerable to this type of behavior and must be protected.”
Melanie Winstantley, defensive, said that Holt had no previous convictions and had never been arrested before, so the incident was completely out of character for him.
His Manchester United Season Ticket, which he has had for 12 years, had already been withdrawn, which is an “important punishment” for him.
She added: “He admitted what he did, he has possessed what he did. It is a very small attack.”
Mrs. Winstanley also said that Grealisk had “brought back” after he had entered the tunnel to talk to Holt.
She added: “He didn't have to do that. It is not unusual for players and fans to make joke at football matches. I try not to apologize.”
Passage punishment, chairman of the Bank of the Magistrates, told the suspect that she had accepted Holt guilty and he seemed to regret his actions, but there must be “punishment and deterrence” for such behavior.
The court heard that fines cannot be deducted from Holt's personal independence, so his parents, with whom he lives, agreed to fully pay them within 28 days.