Celtic fan spared jail after PSG pitch invasion

A Celtic fan has been spared jail for invading the pitch and assaulting a Paris-Saint Germain player during last month’s Champions League match.

John Hatton, 21 from Portadown, Northern Ireland, jumped over a metal railing and ran on to the pitch at Celtic Park.

He assaulted PSG forward Kylian Mbappe by attempting to kick him during the game which saw Celtic lose 5-0.

It happened in the 40th minute after PSG's Edinson Cavani scored their third goal.

Hatton was then punched on the head by fellow supporter Anthony Lavelle as he was lead away by police and Lavelle was later fined £400.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court Tesco deliver worker Hatton also pleaded guilty to behaviour likely to incite public disorder by approaching Mbappe at the Parkhead stadium on September 12.

Yesterday (Wed) Hatton returned to the dock, wearing a suit, where sheriff Diane McConnell handed him a community payback order with the conditions that he carries out 160 hours of unpaid work within six months and is supervised in the community for 18 months.

The sheriff also imposed a four year UK football banning order.

She said in her view the offence “met the custody threshold” but there was a “clear alternative”.

Sheriff McConell told Hatton: “It is fortunate the player you targeted wasn't struck or injured but he must have been greatly alarmed.

“Clearly there was considerable potential for serious large scale disorder as a consequence of your actions.

“Indeed, I am told some disorder did follow upon your conduct and the crowd became hostile as a consequence of what you did.”

Hatton made no comment as he left the court building.

Fiscal depute Louise MacNeill told the court the Parkhead stadium was at full capacity at the time.

She said: “At about 8.20pm PSG had just scored a goal and as players from this team were celebrating, the accused jumped over the metal railing from the stand on to the football pitch while the live football match was still being played.

“The accused continued to run across the pitch and approached a footballer, Kylian Mbappe, at which point the accused extended his leg and attempted to kick the witness.

“He was unsuccessful and missed his kick at which point he attempted to run off the pitch. He was stopped by stewards working within the stadium and escorted off the field of play and towards police.”

The court heard a “hostile crowd” gathered and while being lead away Celtic fan Lavelle punched Hatton.

Defence lawyer Dan Cameron said Hatton lives with his mum who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and helps her with daily tasks.

He said: “He does accept he was drinking from 11am in the morning.

“The (background) report is quite clear about his remorse being genuine.

“He’s aware of the impact his actions have had, he has been banned by the club for life.

Last month Lavelle admitted punching Hatton on the head as he was being led from the stadium by police.

When he pled guilty the court heard he was “upset and angry” at Hatton’s actions.

While the police were escorting Hatton from the stadium he punched him on the head and was arrested.

Defence lawyer Ann McKinlay said: “Mr Lavelle was far from the only person who was angry about the pitch invasion.

“The consequences for the club could be very serious. UEFA could make them play their matches behind closed doors.”

The court was told that Lavelle, an asbestos remover, who now lives in St Albans, England, has been a Celtic supporter since he was 13 and takes his nephew who suffers from epilepsy to matches.

Lavelle was £400 and gave him two months to pay it. A crowdfunding page was launched to pay the fine for him.

Sheriff Gill refused a Crown motion to impose a football banning order on him.

She told Lavelle: “If Celtic Football Club wish to revoke your season ticket that's a matter for them, but, I would hope they would see sense.”

Celtic have been charged by UEFA following the pitch invasion.

The latest charge against Celtic comes after the club were fined £20,000 for illicit banners and blocking a stairway during their qualifying win against Linfield.

It's not the first time a fan has entered the field of play during a European match at Parkhead. AC Milan keeper Dida was slapped by a supporter in the 2-1 victory over the Italian giants in 2007.