A Manchester City fan has been fined and handed a football banning order after he was captured throwing a blue smoke flare onto the pitch during last season's frantic title decider at the Etihad stadium. Phillip Maxwell, 29, hurled the pyrotechnic over the heads of supporters towards away fans after Rodri scored a late equaliser.
The 78th minute goal formed part of a dramatic come-back for City who had been two goals down at home to Aston Villa, and were looking like they might lose the title to Liverpool. Ilkay Gundogan's winner three minutes later handed the Blues the trophy, prompting delirious scenes and a pitch invasion after the final whistle.
A court heard lifelong City fan Maxwell, from Knowsley, Merseyside, hurled one of 20 smoke flares that were thrown by supporters during the game amid a troubling increase in disorder at football matches last season. He is the second City fan to receive a football banning order following trouble at the game.
