A Manchester City fan has been given a three-year football banning order after a pitch invasion following the title decider at the Etihad Stadium. Police said the offence occurred following City's final game of the Premier League last season against Aston Villa on May 22, which they won 3-2 to be crowned champions.
Daniel Potts, 26, of Thompson Road, Denton, Tameside, was sentenced at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Thursday, Greater Manchester Police said. 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, GMP added.
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The force said he was captured on CCTV cameras at the Etihad Stadium climbing over a three foot-high advertising board after a 'surge' of supporters climbed safety barriers and pushed through stewards.
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, GMP 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 onto the playing area. He is then one of the first groups of supporters who encroached onto the playing area."
PC Matt Ford, of the force'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."
The CPS said Potts was arrested by officers and admitted going onto the pitch, claiming he followed others. In interview, he apologised for his actions.
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."
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