Man Utd fan who ‘slapped Jack Grealish as walked off pitch’ is BANNED from Old Trafford as he faces assault charge
A MANCHESTER United fan who is charged with assaulting Manchester City ace Jack Grealish at the end of Sunday’s Manchester derby has been banned from Old Trafford.
Alfie Holt, 20, is alleged to have slapped 29-year-old Grealish as he walked off the Old Trafford pitch following the 0-0 draw.
Grealish was walking towards the tunnel at the end of the Premier League game when Holt is alleged to have beckoned him over and raised his hands to the England midfielder.
Grealish, who came on as sub in the 74th minute, complained to club officials and cops later arrested a man.
A Gtr Manchester Police spokesperson said: ‘Alfie Holt, 20, of Droylsden, has been charged with assault. He will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court in July.
“This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford Football Club.”
After Holt was charged with an offence, United immediately issued him with a ban.
Neighbours were shocked by Holt’s involvement in the incident.
One woman said: “I’m very surprised he’s been charged by the police.
“It seems very out of character.
“He’s a lovely lad and I always have a chat with him when I see him in the road.
“He’s got a steady girlfriend and he helps his dad a lot with jobs around the house.
“I can’t imagine him doing something like that.”
Another woman said that Alfie was “big” Manchester United fan.
She too thought that it was unusual for Alfie to be involved in any trouble.
“He was probably just messing around and it’s all been taken the wrong way,” she said.
“He’s not the type of person to cause trouble.”
Grealish is not believed to have been seriously injured, but the incident capped an unhappy afternoon for City.
Earlier in the game Grealish’s teammate Phil Foden was repeatedly targeted by fans who chanted abusive songs about his mum.
Sections of the Old Trafford crowd persistently labelled Foden’s mother a ‘s**g’ throughout the afternoon.
Following the match, City boss Pep Guardiola said derogatory chants about the England playmaker’s family showed “a lack of class”.
Guardiola said: “Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”