Man to appear in court over Jack Grealish fan attack
A man is set to appear in court today charged with invading the pitch and assault after Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was punched 10 minutes into the Birmingham City game.
The man, named by West Midlands Police as 27-year-old Paul Mitchell, is set to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court today.
Grealish went on to hail it the "best day of his life", recovering from being punched by the Birmingham fan to score the winner in the Second City derby.
Exclusive photos for the Express & Star show the moment Grealish was struck on the side of the head, who ran on to the field less than 10 minutes into the match before throwing a punch from behind the midfielder as he stood in the Birmingham penalty area.
The man was quickly restrained by stewards as several other Villa players rushed in to confront him. He was led away by police, blowing kisses to the crowd as he left.
West Midlands police confirmed late on Sunday: “We’ve this evening charged a man with invading the pitch and assaulting Aston Villa player Jack Grealish during the Second City derby.
“Paul Mitchell, aged 27, of Rubery, has been remanded in custody to appear before B’ham Mags Court tomorrow.”
Grealish thankfully appeared unhurt and was comforted by team-mates and opponents. He went on to net the only goal with a low, angled shot in the second half, leaping jubilantly in to the Villa supporters to celebrate and earning himself a yellow card.
He told Sky Sports Football: “Best day of my life. To come here, captain Aston Villa and score the winner is what dreams are made of, especially for me as a Villa fan.”
Regarding the incident with Mitchell, he added: “I was just unaware at the time, I was walking into position and then just felt a whack around the side of the face.
“Obviously there’s rivalry and stuff in football, but I don’t think there’s any place for that really.
“I just tried to get on with my job. To score the winner was unbelievable. After what happened in the first half I think it was set up for it.”
His team-mate Conor Hourihane branded the attack “absolutely disgusting,” adding: “Full credit to (Grealish), he showed his class, got the winner and had the last laugh and it’s a fantastic three points for us.”
Villa said they were “appalled” by the “disgraceful attack” and called on the culprit to feel “the full force of the law”.
A club statement read: “A red line has been crossed by this cowardly on-field assault on a player, which is unprecedented in English football.
“We trust the perpetrator will feel the full force of the law and the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding today’s deplorable incident.
“Local rivalries are part of the fabric of the game. However, as we are sure our friends at Birmingham City would agree, to have a player’s personal safety placed under such jeopardy is a serious cause for concern for the entire football community.”
Birmingham apologised to Grealish and their rivals and said they would undertake a review of their safety procedures.
A statement read: “We deplore the behaviour of the individual who committed this act and rest assured he will be banned from St Andrew’s for life. The club will also support any further punishment this individual may face in the eyes of the law.
“The club will be working with the relevant authorities to investigate all the circumstances and we will be reviewing our stadium safety procedures.
“What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this – there are no excuses.
“Again, we apologise to Jack and all at Aston Villa Football Club.”
The English Football League and Football Association also condemned the attack.
