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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Tom Ambrose

Man charged with assaulting Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale at north London derby

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale at the north London derby on Sunday.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale at the north London derby on Sunday. Photograph: Javier García/Rex/Shutterstock

A man has been charged with assault after the Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was kicked by a Tottenham Hotspur fan at Sunday’s north London derby.

Joseph Watts, 35, of Hackney in east London, was charged with assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to a playing area and throwing a missile on to a football pitch, the Metropolitan police said. He is due to appear at Highbury magistrates court on Friday.

A Met spokesperson said Tottenham had assisted police with their inquiries.

After Arsenal won 2-0 at Tottenham’s stadium on Sunday afternoon, Ramsdale celebrated in front of the South Stand, sticking out his tongue and pointing at and then kissing the badge on his shirt.

With players from both teams converging and Ramsdale heading off to retrieve his drinks bottle, he was kicked by a supporter.

The Football Association said it “strongly condemned” the incident and Spurs vowed to ban the person found responsible.

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