A Leeds United fan has been handed a lifetime ban from the Yorkshire club after injuring Manchester United player Anthony Elanga during a Premier League match between the two sides earlier this year.
Mr Max Joseph Walton, 21, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court where he admitted assaulting Elanga during the match at Elland Road in February of this year.
Walton was also accused of throwing an object towards the pitch, thought to be a lighter. However, that second charge was withdrawn in favour of the more serious assault charge.
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Elanga, who scored United's fourth goal in the 4-2 victory over Leeds, was struck by an object in the latter stages of the match on February 20.
Walton, of Woodland Road, Halton, was fined £400, told to pay £125 and was given a banning order for five years. As a result, he must not attend football games and is not allowed within one mile of Elland Road when Leeds are playing at home, three hours before kick-off and three hours after the match has finished.
The 21-year-old man is not permitted within five miles of the stadium when Leeds play away from home. He is also required to inform the police of any change of address.
On Tuesday (September 21), Leeds confirmed that Walton had also been given the indefinite ban from the club.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed nine people were arrested on the day. United won the game in February courtesy of goals from Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Elanga.
Elanga was made aware of that news during a recent interview with Fotboll Skanalen, and the Reds man admitted he was pleased by it.
"Is it true? Wow," he said.
"I didn’t know that. But that’s good. Now no other fans will do what he did. That’s great. The most important thing is that the police have handled this well."
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