Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Celts fans pitch in over fine for slapping thug
Online fund for supporter who lashed out at Ulster hooligan
CELTIC fans are clubbing together to pay a court fine for the supporter who slapped a moron pitch invader from Northern Ireland.
Hoops diehard Anthony Lavelle, 61, cuffed 21-year-old John Hatton after the Belfast man ran on to the field and tried to kick Paris-saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
The blow landed Lavelle in court the next day, where he admitted assault and was fined £400.
But fellow fans have now set up an online collection to make sure the season ticket holder is not out of pocket.
And it’s emerged Celtic will not be penalising Lavelle, who has never been in trouble before and travels from St Albans to watch his team with his nephew who suffers from epilepsy.
Hatton has been banned from every UK stadium for bringing shame and a possible Uefa sanction on the team managed by Co Antrim’s Brendan Rodgers.
The Justgiving page set up by Stuart Mcgregor states: “Mr Lavelle is the gentleman whom gave the Celtic pitch invader a clout round the ear for bring bad press to our club. He has been fined £400 by the courts which I think is a little much considering everyone in paradise would’ve done the same thing. Please help pay his fine... Every little helps.” Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill showed mercy on Lavelle by refusing to impose a football THIS ssslippery intruder found in a home in the middle of the night has been reunited with its owner. Police said they were contacted by a man who found the 3ft long Albino Royal banning order. She also reduced his fine from £600 to £400. Hatton cried in the dock after he admitted assault and behaviour likely to incite public disorder.
He was told to return to court at a later date for sentencing.
Hatton jumped over a metal railing and ran on to the
JUSTGIVING PAGE
Python in Aldervale, Craigavon, Co Armagh, on Wednesday. While held at Lurgan station, the snake was named Popo by an officer.
He said: “I’ve clearly watched way too much David Attenborough and Steve Irwin. My guess was an albino python. I’m calling that as close enough.” pitch before assaulting PSG forward Mbappe by attempting to kick him during Celtic’s 5-0 defeat on Tuesday.
As the grinning drunk was led out of the stadium by police there was “jostling” among furious Celtic fans to get to him.
Lavelle found himself at the front of the queue and gave the pitch invader a slap on the side of the head.
Sheriff Gill told Hatton: “I don’t know much about football.
“But this was a high-profile match. It was a Champions League match. It was televised across the UK.”
However, when it came to Lavelle she appeared to sympathise with his actions.
She told him: “I can understand how you felt, the frustration of yourself and others in the stadium.
“You have been going to football matches for 48 years with no trouble and you take your nephew to matches. If Celtic wish to revoke your season ticket that’s a matter for them but I would hope they would see sense.”
A spokeswoman for the Glasgow giants said: “Supporters can rest assured the club will deal with this matter in the appropriate manner.”