The fan had kicked Ramsdale last month after the North London derby
A man has admitted assaulting Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on the pitch after the North London derby last month.
Joseph Watts, 35, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to the assault.
Watts, of Dalston in Hackney, east London, appeared in person to confirm his name, age and address before entering guilty pleas to assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
In January, he kicked the goalkeeper on the pitch following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham.
Television cameras just managed to catch the moment that Watts stood on the advertising hoardings and lashed out as Ramsdale.
He kicked the Arsenal keeper in the back as he bent down to pick up his water bottle. Stewards pushed Watts away before he then fled back up into the stands covering his face.
NEW FOOTAGE 📹 of a Spurs fan kicking Aaron Ramsdale. This angle shows the fan climb over the barrier and onto the advertising hoarding where he then kicks the keeper, whose Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-0. Spurs have vowed to ban the supporter for life.
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) January 16, 2023
He was arrested on January 17 and charged a few days later on Tuesday January 17 after Tottenham assisted the Metropolitan Police with their enquiries.
In a statement following the incident, Tottenham said: “We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match. Violence in any form has no place in football.
“The Club has reviewed its CCTV footage 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.”
On the post-match flashpoint, Aaron Ramsdale told Sky Sports, “The Spurs fans gave me some throughout the game. I was giving some back.
“The people I did give it to greeted it in sportsmanlike terms but one fan tried to give me a little punch on the back.
“It is a shame as it is just a game of football, at the end of the day. Both sets of players tried to bring me away but thankfully nothing too drastic happened. It is a sour taste but I’m sure we will enjoy it when we go back into the dressing room.”
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