Man who ran onto Chesterfield pitch and confronted goalkeeper banned from matches

Finton Carey, 18, appeared before magistrates in Chesterfield on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 4 of the Football Offences Act.

Carey, of Humber Avenue, Coventry, was arrested on December 28 during the Chesterfield v Coventry league one fixture after he went onto the pitch and confronted the Chesterfield goalkeeper, who had to defend himself.

Carey, who was of previous good character, was given a £160 fine, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. He was also banned from all regulated football matches for three years.

PC Roger Brown, a dedicated football officer with Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “The safety of fans, players and officials is our prime concern. In conjunction with Chesterfield FC we will not tolerate anyone going onto the field of play.

“Where appropriate we will seek football banning orders for anyone who is convicted of a football-related offence. This young man will miss all regulated football for the next three years including the Euro 2016 tournament in France.”