Source: Daily_Mail
Police charge fan with common assault after punching Stevenage star
The Stevenage supporter, who was arrested after a footballer was punched while celebrating his team's victory in an FA Cup match, has been charged with two offences, police have said.[LNB]Robert Fitzgerald, 24, from Stevenage has been charged with common assault and going on to a playing area at a designated football match contrary to sections 4 and 5 of the Football Offences Act, Hertfordshire Police said.[LNB]He has been bailed to appear before Stevenage Magistrates on January 26.[LNB]Stevenage's Scott Laird was knocked to the ground after the club's 3-1 victory against Newcastle.[LNB]Police and the Football Association both began investigations after Laird was floored when fans ran on to the pitch as the League Two side celebrated Saturday's giant-killing.[LNB] Stevenage full-back Scott Laird is punched following a pitch invasion on Saturday [LNB] [LNB] Fans rush towards the punch-up, which saw Laird knocked unconscious following Stevenage's 3-1 defeat over Newcastle [LNB] [LNB] Laird falls to the ground following the attack, which Jade Coles says was carried out by her boyfriend Rob Fitzgerald [LNB]The girlfriend Fitzgerald, who was caught on camera punching Laird on the pitch after the game, says he did it because she used to be his 'lover'. [LNB]Pregnant Jade Coles says Rob Fitzgerald attacked the full-back because he was 'defending her honour'. [LNB]Fitzgerald was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assault in relation to the incident after handing himself in at Stevenage police station and faces aten-year ban from football grounds. [LNB]Jade told The Sun: 'I haven't been in a relationship with Scott now for two or three years but Rob knows about it. [LNB]'Scott was a player and I don't mean on the pitch. He was a bit of a ladies' man. [LNB]'Rob was at the game celebrating the victory on the pitch. He saw Scott celebrating and just lost his temper. He'd been drinking and that's why it happened.'[LNB]If Fitzgerald, who is currently in custody, is charged and found guilty, Hertfordshire police would seek to place a football banning order on him which could last between three and 10 years. He could also face a jail term if found guilty of assault. [LNB] Prior to the attack, Laird is surrounded by supporters celebrating the win [LNB]The punch, which knocked Laird unconscious, was captured on camera and will be investigated by the Football Association. [LNB]Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace was fearful that his club's triumph could be overshadowed by the incident. 'I'm stunned. I didn't know this had happened,' he said.[LNB]'You try to keep people off the pitch but, after a result and a fantastic team performance like this, your thoughts are elsewhere. It will be up to the FA and others to decide what action, if any, will be taken.'[LNB]A spokesman for the club said: 'Scott does know Jade but they haven't had any contact for two-and-a-half years and they never dated.' [LNB] Explore more:Places: Newcastle Organisations: Football Association
