Kick this coward out
FA and police probe as thug boots Arsenal keeper in the back before running away Spurs vow ‘strongest possible action’
TOTTENHAM are facing an FA and police investigation after a supporter kicked Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of a fiery north London derby.
Richarlison could also find himself in hot water for pushing Ramsdale in the face after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory, which ended with the two sides needing to be separated. Tempers boiled over after Ramsdale taunted Spurs supporters at full- time, kissing his badge and celebrating near the South Stand.
Then, as the goalkeeper went to collect his drinks bottle, a supporter clambered towards the pitch and kicked the England international in the back before then running away.
The supporter was branded a coward by Sportsmail columnist and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, who said: ‘Ramsdale didn’t do anything wrong. His celebrations were not over the top. But that Tottenham
fan responded by kicking the goalkeeper then running away like a coward. It was totally unacceptable.’ The fan’s kick sparked a fracas, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta having to drag Ramsdale and Granit Xhaka away. Tottenham vowed a ban and the strongest possible action against the attacker. A statement said: ‘We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Aaron Ramsdale. Violence in any form has no place in football. The club has reviewed its CCTV to identify the supporter and will be working with the Met Police, Arsenal and Aaron Ramsdale to take the strongest possible action, including an immediate ban from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.’
A league statement said: ‘The Premier League condemns the behaviour of a fan at the conclusion of the Tottenham and Arsenal match. There is no place in football for acts of violence and under no circumstance should players be attacked or fear for their safety. ‘The league will support the clubs and relevant authorities in taking the strongest possible action.’ A Birmingham fan was jailed in 2019 for punching Jack Grealish while last year a Leicester supporter was sentenced to four months in youth custody for swinging punches at Nottingham Forest players during an FA Cup match. Ramsdale said: ‘The Spurs fans gave me some throughout the game, I was giving some back. The people I did give it to greeted it sportsmanlike, but one fan tried to give me a little kick. It is a shame as it is just a game of football. Thankfully nothing too drastic happened. It leaves a sour taste.’
Arteta refused to let the incident dampen his team’s spirits. ‘There’s nothing we can do right now. I don’t want that taking 0.0001 per cent of the enjoyment and satisfaction that we have at the moment,’ he said.