A man has been banned from football matches for three years after punching a 13-year-old fan in the face in an “unprovoked” attack at a game.
Sean Ryan, 21, struck the boy outside Southport FC’s Haig Avenue stadium on 16 September, after the Merseyside club’s 3-2 victory over Radcliffe FC in the second round of the FA Cup.
Merseyside Police said Ryan, a Southport fan, was walking past the Jack Carr stand when he punched the boy, a Radcliffe fan, leaving him feeling sore and “very distressed”.
Ryan, from Old Swan in Liverpool, admitted assault at Sefton Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to a community order involving 120 hours of unpaid work and a compensation payment of £250 to the victim.
The football banning order prohibits him from attending regulated football matches for three years.
Insp Stuart McLoughlin, of Merseyside Police, said after the hearing: “The young victim was left very distressed after the incident and this type of violent behaviour has no place in football.
“Thankfully Ryan quickly admitted the assault after it had happened, and now Ryan is banned from attending any football game in the country.
“Everyone should feel safe without any fear when they are attending a football game.”