Matthew Stott, 21, had to be restrained by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart before being arrested and subsequently charged with pitch encroachment following Robin van Persie's late winner for Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking through his solicitors Stephen Lickrish and Associates he apologised to the Manchester United defender for his incursion onto the playing surface. The landscape gardener, from Knutsford, said:
"I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players.
"I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club.
"I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans.
"I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch.
"I have been a fan of Manchester City Football Club all my life and I have been a season ticket holder for three years and I attend the games with my father. I have had the same seat in the section next to the away fans for those three years."
Rebecca Caulfield, solicitor at Stephen Lickrish & Associates, is representing Stott. She said:
"Mr Stott is a hard-working man who has held a full-time job as a landscape gardener for four years and lives with his partner of five years.
"He has never been to court before and has never been in trouble with any of the stewards at Manchester City Football Club before, or at any other ground.
"He is extremely remorseful and is mortified by his behaviour, which is completely out of character.
"This was a momentary mistake by Mr Stott, which has led to him being charged, brought shame on his family, and will bring sanctions on the club that Mr Stott has supported all his life.
"Mr Stott will accept the consequences of his actions."
Source: team_talk
