The Arsenal fan who invaded the Emirates pitch and then pushed Manchester United's Chris Smalling has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault.
Gary Cooper, from Chertsey in Surrey, ran into the English defender after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had doubled the Gunners' lead in the Premier League fixture back in March.
Cooper, who was arrested at the ground following the incident, previously admitted entering into the playing area during the match but had denied the charge of assault.
But the dad-of-three changed his plea to guilty at the start of his scheduled trial at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, and has now been fined £235, ordered to pay £100 compensation to Smalling and given 120 hours unpaid work for his actions.
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Eleanor Fraser, in mitigation, said: "Smalling was not injured.
"The contact was also made only once – it was brief, just a single blow.
"It was clearly a matter of excitement where he lost control, his intention was to celebrate and congratulate them.
"But, before he knew it, Smalling was in his path."
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While Demi Ugurtay, prosecuting, said: "There was contact with Mr Smalling.
"He does accept there was contact. There is CCTV from the stadium that I will show to the court.
"This behaviour is unacceptable. He has run into the pitch after Arsenal scored a penalty at 6pm."
The court also heard how the 30-year-old now claims benefits after being sacked from his £500-a-week job at Innovation Decorators due to the incident.
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