Aaron Ramsdale: Tottenham Hotspur fan sentenced for attacking Arsenal goalkeeper

A man has been banned from attending football matches for four years after he attacked Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the north London derby.

Ramsdale, 24, was kicked in the back after the Gunners beat Spurs 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January.

Joseph Watts, 35, from Dalston, pleaded guilty to assault when he appeared at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

In addition to the assault charge, he pleaded guilty to throwing a missile on to a football playing area and going on to an area adjacent to a playing area.

He was sentenced to 100 hours of community work and told to pay Ramsdale £100 compensation.

Detective Constable Phil Dickinson, of the Met’s Football Investigations Team, said: "Passions can run high during, and after, football matches, but there is simply no excuse for this type of behaviour.

“Attacks on players will not be tolerated and I am glad, with the assistance of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, this man was swiftly identified, arrested and brought to justice.

"I am glad he will now be banned from attending any football matches for at least four years."