Two football fans have been charged following Manchester City’s Premier League game with Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Phillip Maxwell, of Anzio Row, Knowsley, has been charged with throwing a missile (pyrotechnic) onto the pitch and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today.
Paul Colbridge, of Whitegate Drive, Salford, has been charged with going onto the pitch and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 7 June 2022.
Both have been bailed ahead of the court appearances.
Separately, police said enquiries into the reported assault of a player on the pitch after the final whistle are ongoing with officers working in partnership with both football clubs.
Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen was reportedly assaulted as thousands of City fans stormed the pitch at the full-time whistle to celebrate winning the Premier League – prompting an apology from City.
Videos circulating online show Olsen being touched or slapped on the back of the head by one fan and pushed by another, before a third man apparently hits him in the face – though it is unclear if it was intentional.
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A police spokesman said: “Enquiries into the reported assault of a player on the pitch after the final whistle are ongoing with officers working in partnership with both football clubs.”
Villa later released a statement saying Olsen is “completely fine”, confirming he did take a bang on the back of the head, but indicating nobody was sure if the incident was deliberate or an accident. The club added it considers the matter closed and will not be making a complaint.
Manchester City held off Liverpool to win the Premier League by a single point after scoring three goals in five minutes to complete a stunning comeback against Villa.
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Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves 2-0 down as Villa – managed by former Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard – threatened to pull off an almighty shock.
But two goals from substitute Ilkay Gundogan and one from Rodri made it 3-2 after a remarkable spell deep into the second half.
With City trailing for much of their match, it looked like the Reds had a golden opportunity to snatch the title – but the swift turnaround in Manchester snuffed out those hopes.
