Man pleads guilty to attacking Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale in north London derby
Joseph Watts, 35, admitted kicking the goalkeeper after the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January
A 35-year-old man has pleaded guilty to attacking Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during the north London derby last month.
Joseph Watts appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court where he admitted kicking Ramsdale at the end of the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 15 January, as well as throwing four coins on to the pitch.
Watts, of Dalston in Hackney, east London, appeared in person to confirm his name, age and address. He pleaded guilty to assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area, and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
The incident, which was caught by television cameras, followed a tense match between the two fierce rivals which Arsenal won 2-0.
After the final whistle, Ramsdale turned to the Spurs supporters behind his goal and celebrated in their direction, for which he was chastised by opponent Richarlison. The goalkeeper then went to collect his drinks bottle positioned by the advertising hoardings, where Watts approached from the stand, before climbing on to the billboard and kicking Ramsdale in the back.
Watts, a Tottenham supporter, was handed a 12-month community order, made to pay £100 in compensation to Ramsdale and will have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
He also received a four-year football banning order, meaning he cannot attend matches.
Deputy District Judge A King, sentencing on Friday, said the assault was “relatively short-lived, comprising a single blow”.
Mr King went on: “When individuals lose self-control it can have a ripple effect, in this case there could have been a significant risk of serious public order.”
He added: “It has had some psychological effect and he (Ramsdale) will have this in the back of his mind when he goes to work in the future.”
The court heard Ramsdale had been celebrating the victory and collecting his bottle from behind the goal when he was attacked.
Watts, a pub worker, ran down the stairs from where he was sitting, climbed over a barrier and on to an advertising banner before kicking Ramsdale, who was turned away from him.
He then ran back into the stands.
Ramsdale, in a victim statement read to the court, said he saw a masseuse because his back felt “heavy”, but there were no marks.
He went on: “I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me, I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work.”
The England international also told of being wary of similar incidents happening in the future.
Watts, who admitted being drunk, having had six pints, also threw four coins towards the pitch.
The probation service told the court Watts, who has a 13-year-old daughter, is “disgusted, embarrassed and ashamed” of his behaviour.
He had also said he was sorry to Ramsdale and both football clubs.
Includes reporting from PA