A football supporter who threw a flare and assaulted a player during an EFL play-off game has been jailed.
Paul Alexander Moss was charged with common assault, throwing a missile onto a football playing area, possessing a flare at a sporting event, going onto the playing area at a football match, and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.
The offences occurred during the League Two play-off semi-final second leg between Northampton Town and Mansfield Town on May 18 this year. Moss, aged 31, appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court and was handed a 16-week sentence. He was also ordered to pay costs totalling £128 and in addition, was also given a six-year football banning order.
A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "All football fans, stadium staff, officials and players should be able to attend football matches in a safe environment. They should not be subjected to the behaviour that Paul Moss showed that night and I hope this case shows the seriousness with which we take incidents such as these. We will continue to work with Northampton Town FC to ban individuals who behave in this way."
The incident involving Moss came towards the latter stages of the game in which Mansfield won 3-1 on aggregate. The club tweeted at the time: "Embarrassing scenes at Sixfields as a number of Northampton fans run onto the field."
The unsavoury scenes came just 24 hours after similar events at the City Ground, where Sheffield United's Billy Sharp was assaulted by a supporter following a pitch invasion by jubilant Nottingham Forest fans who had just seen their side prevail on penalties.
Sharp, a former Forest player, required four stitches after being headbutted by Forest supporter Robert Biggs. Biggs, of Ilkeston, pleaded guilty to ABH and was handed a 24-week jail sentence and was also given a ten-year football banning order.
In sentencing, District Judge Leong told Biggs: "The video clip proves to me that you were running towards Billy Sharp and that you dodged all the other spectators to get towards him.
"I am of the view that it was a targeted act of aggression... even if it was not premeditated. You must have seen him fall over but you did not stop to check if he was alright or whether he was seriously injured."
In the aftermath of the assault, Sharp wrote on Twitter: "One mindless idiot ruined what was an unbelievable night of football. Congratulations to Nottingham Forest on their victory and good luck in the final. As an ex-Forest player, I will not let one scumbag ruin my respect for the Forest fans. Incredibly proud to be captain of this group of Sheffield United players, they gave their all and can hold their heads up high. We will be back and go again. Thanks for all your messages and support after the incident."
