Gillingham fan charged by police after jumping on Wycombe goal keeper Jordan Archer
The Gills fan jumps on
Wycombe goalie Jordan Archer as he prepares to take a goal kick.
Picture: YouTube
A Gillingham fan has been charged after allegedly
leaping on the Wycombe goalkeeper during last night's
match at Priestfield.
The youth was said to have run from the Rainham
End and knocked visiting player Jordan Archer to the
ground during stoppage time of the League 2 fixture, which was
being televised on Sky Sports.
Archer, who was preparing to take a goal kick in the 93rd
minute, was not badly injured.
He was able to continue after the attacker was dragged away
by stewards and swiftly removed from the field.
A 17-year-old from Rochester has today been charged with common
assault and Section 4 of the Football Offences Act.
He has been bailed to appear on March 12 at Medway
Magistrates' Court.
The Gills fan lands on
the ground before (below) being grappled by a steward. Picture:
YouTube
After the match,
which Gillingham lost 1-0, Gills manager Martin Allen said: "As
a football club we can't condone that.
"I am sure all our supporters are not happy, none of us are
happy at that.
"It is not a true reflection of our football club, certainly
since I have been here. It is not like that here. They are
passionate but never over-step the mark as far as I can see."
Visiting manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "What he did was wrong.
He has given the rest of the Gillingham fans a bit of a bad name
and they will be just as annoyed as anyone out there.
"We are okay. I am sure Jordan will be okay, he's a tough lad
anyway and we will see what happens. The less I comment on it the
better because I need to see it again.
"I am not sure what we will do as a club, we will sit down and
talk with the relevant people at my club and see what they want to
do. At the moment I can't comment any further."
The Gills fan is detained
by stewards while Wycombe keeper Jordan Archer looks
on. Picture: Barry Goodwin
A spokesman for the FA said it was investigating the incident,
and liaising with Kent Police.
An incident last year at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough
stadium saw a Leeds United fan attack the opposition goalkeeper and
he was subsequently jailed for 16 weeks.
05/02/13
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