3-YEAR BAN FOR TOT SELFIE FAN
Celts supporter avoids jail over Old Firm derby stunt
A CELTIC fan who invaded the pitch with a two-year-old boy to celebrate a goal in an Old Firm derby was yesterday banned from all UK football matches for three years
Anthony Smith, 32, ran on to the park holding the young boy in his arms after Odsonne Edouard scored against Rangers at Parkhead in March.
He also took out his mobile phone to take pictures and waved his arms.
Smith had previously pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to committing a breach of the peace.
At his sentencing hearing yesterday, he was ordered to do 225 hours of unpaid work by Sheriff Valerie Mays and banned from all games in Britain for three years. Sheriff Mays told him: “The nature of your conduct could have caused significant trouble at an Old Firm match and there was a lack of concern for the child.
“The court cannot tolerate that behaviour at football matches. I can deal with this as an alternative to a custodial sentence, just.” The court heard Smith leapt over an advertising board with the child in his arms to join other supporters on the pitch.
Prosecutor Graham Macdonald said: “He waved his arms around and took photos. He took a selfie with himself and the child.”
Gary Miller, defending, said that Smith was on the pitch for a minute with “40 to 50 fans”.
He added: “Mr Smith accepts it was a stupid thing to do and attracted negative media at the time.
“It wasn’t the wisest move to take a two-year-old to a derby match.
“This is something he intends to learn from and is something he will never do in future.”
Smith, from Parkhead, Glasgow, was acquitted of a charge of causing the child unnecessary suffering or injury to health.