Jack Grealish punched from behind by Birmingham City pitch invader!
Jack Grealish was attacked from behind by the man, who was wearing a Birmingham City jacket
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was attacked by a spectator who ran on to the pitch in the Championship match at rivals Birmingham City on Sunday, BBC reported.
The man, named by police as 27-year-old Paul Mitchell, of Rubery, was arrested and will appear in court on Monday.
The incident happened in the 10th minute when Mitchell entered the pitch from the home section before swinging his arm towards Grealish's face.
Mitchell then blew kisses towards the crowd as he was led away by stewards.
West Midlands Police said Mitchell, who was wearing a Birmingham City jacket, will appear in Birmingham Magistrates Court charged with encroachment on to the pitch and assault.
"An attack on a player is completely unacceptable and outrageous," said the match commander, Superintendent Nick Rowe.
"The vast majority of people were well behaved but unfortunately the occasion has been marred by this."
Villa captain Grealish sat on the St Andrew's turf before being helped up by players from both teams and was able to continue.
The visitors went on to win 1-0, Grealish scoring the winner in the 67th minute.
The Football Association said it "strongly condemned the incident", adding that it would be "working with the police, the relevant authorities and the club to ensure the appropriate action is taken".
The EFL added: "It's a situation no player should ever be faced with.
"Those playing in the game must be able to do so safe in the knowledge they will not be subjected to this type of behaviour.
"While this incident falls within the remit of the Football Association, we will work with all the relevant parties to address the issue of player and match officials' safety on the pitch and ensure the appropriate action is taken."
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Birmingham apologised to Grealish and Villa immediately after the game and added that they would be reviewing their stadium safety procedures.
"We deplore the behaviour of the individual who committed this act and rest assured he will be banned from St Andrew's for life," said a Blues statement.
"The club will also support any further punishment this individual may face in the eyes of the law.
"What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this - there are no excuses."
Aston Villa said they were "appalled by the disgraceful attack" and that a "red line has been crossed by this cowardly on-field assault".
"Local rivalries are part of the fabric of the game. However, as we are sure our friends at Birmingham City would agree, to have a player's personal safety placed under such jeopardy is a serious cause for concern for the entire football community," said a Villa statement.
Grealish sat on the turf while the man was apprehended
Via BBC
My view: Wow what a thug, disgraceful. This is not passion, plain wrong. Who does that.?