Police said on Monday that they were working to track down the person responsible for throwing a coin at Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand during Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Ferdinand was left with blood streaming down his face from a cut above his eye after being struck by a coin as he celebrated Robin van Persie’s injury-time winner in United’s 3-2 victory at Manchester City.
Greater Manchester Police said that they had made 13 arrests and charged nine people over offences that occurred before, during and after the match.
Photo: EPA
“To have just 13 arrests for a crowd of this size and a match of this proportion is a testament to the policing operation we put in place,” Chief Inspector Steve Howard said.
“Despite fierce rivalry and high tension, there was no major disorder. However, we will continue to investigate the coin-throwing incident and are determined to work with the club to bring the perpetrator to justice,” he added.
The Football Association (FA) are also investigating the incident.
Among the people charged were two men accused of entering the field of play during the game.
City goalkeeper Joe Hart had to restrain one fan from getting at Ferdinand after the coin-throwing incident, prompting the United defender to thank his one-time England colleague on Twitter.
The supporter, 21-year-old landscape gardener Matthew Stott, expressed regret for his behavior on Monday.
“I would like to apologize to all those affected by my actions yesterday [Sunday], particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players,” he said in a statement released by his lawyers.
“I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club,” he said.
Despite his apology, City canceled Stott’s season ticket for the rest of the season and said he would be given a lifetime ban from the club if found guilty of pitch encroachment.
“His season card has been immediately removed for the rest of the season and he has been charged to appear at court. If he is found guilty, he faces a lifetime ban,” a City spokesman said.
A 30-year-old man has also been charged with what police said was a “racially aggravated public order” offence.
All the people charged are due to appear before magistrates in Manchester on Jan. 4 next year.
FA chairman David Bernstein said the crowd trouble that marred the game was “deplorable” and called for strict punishments to be meted out to those responsible.
“It is deplorable to see those incidents and to see Rio Ferdinand with blood on his face is absolutely terrible,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I think it’s disturbing that we’re seeing a recurrence of these types of incidents. We’ve had racial abuse issues, the odd pitch incursion, things being thrown at players — it’s very unacceptable and has to be dealt with severely,” Bernstein added.
“I believe that if necessary these people need to go to the court and be banned for life, if they’re found out,” Bernstein added.
Meanwhile, Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said there was a case to be made for erecting nets to protect players from missiles thrown by supporters.
“I think you’ve got to give consideration to possibly, as has been suggested, some netting in vulnerable areas, be it behind the goals and round the corner flags,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
United’s victory took them six points clear of defending champions City at the top of the Premier League table.
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