Source: Daily_Mail
Stevenage star Scott Laird was attacked by love rival 'defending' ex-girlfriend
The girlfriend of a man who was caught on camera punching Stevenage star Scott Laird on the pitch after Saturday's FA Cup win over Newcastle says he did it because she used to be his 'lover'. [LNB]Pregnant Jade Coles says Rob Fitzgerald attacked the full-back after their shock 3-1 third-round win over the Barclays Premier League side 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 a ten-year ban from football grounds. [LNB]Fan faces 10-year ban after allegedly punching Stevenage star 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]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
