A MANCHESTER United fan has admitted to assaulting Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish after claiming the footballer insulted him.
Alfie Holt, 20, said the England star had called him a “little ugly w***er”, after the Manchester derby in April, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.
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Holt pleaded guilty to a single count of assault on Grealish.
The longtime Manchester United season ticket holder was also given a three-year Football Banning Order and was fined £120, with £85 costs and a surcharge of £48.
Holt’s parents have agreed to pay the fines in full, the court heard.
The defendant, from Haven Drive, Droylsden, Tameside, told the court: “I did not expect him to say what he said to me and I have reacted. I regret it. That’s it.”
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Grealish was slapped as he was leaving the field after the Manchester derby at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
Prosecutor Shazia Aslam told the court the hotly anticipated match is always a “contentious affair”.
She said: “Both sets of fans were very vocal, shouting abusive comments to rival players.”
One of these was Holt who was stood very close to the touchline, shouting abuse at Manchester City players, the court heard.
Aslam continued: “As the complainant, Jack Grealish, a Man City player, enters the tunnel area, he hears the defendant shouting comments towards him. He turns and walks towards him.
“Both have an exchange of words.
“As the complainant walks away, the defendant slaps the complainant across the face.
“There was no injury. He was arrested outside the stadium.”
In a witness statement, Grealish told police he couldn’t hear what the defendant was shouting due to the crowd noise.
The star forward then walked towards the fans to try to engage in a conversation.
As he did so he leaned in to speak to the defendant but still couldn’t hear.
Grealish said he was slapped shortly after he turned to walk away.
After his arrest, Holt told police he had been drinking before the game “in town” and went to the match with his father.
He told police he was shouting abuse at City players, including Phil Foden, who all ignored him.
He then shouted, “k***head” at Grealish, who reacted and a “verbal altercation took place”, the court heard.
Holt told police Grealish said to him “You little ugly w***er”, and he “flipped” and reached out and slapped the footballer.
A brief clip of the altercation was shown in court.
Ms Aslam added: “The defendant uses force against a player. Players are extremely vulnerable to this sort of conduct and need to be protected.”
Holt had no previous convictions and the incident was described as being completely out of character for him.
His Manchester United season ticket, which he has had for 12 years, had already been revoked.
Defendant Melanie Winstantley said: “He’s admitted what he’s done, he’s owned what he’s done. It’s a very minor assault.”
Ms Winstanley also said Grealish “doubled back” and approached Holt.
“He didn’t have to do that. It’s not unusual for players and fans to engage in banter at football matches,” she said.
“I’m not trying to excuse the behaviour.”
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