The fan has claimed that it was not his intention to confront Smalling
The Arsenal fan who ran onto the Emirates pitch and shoved Manchester United defender Chris Smalling during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over the Red Devils on Sunday has been revealed as boxer Tyson Fury’s cousin.
Gary Cooper, who claims that he was running onto the pitch to celebrate Arsenal’s penalty with scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, told the Daily Mail that he was ashamed of what he did.
“I am just so ashamed and have let myself and my family down,” Cooper said. “What happened was out of character. I am still in shock and feel awful.
“I want to apologise to Chris Smalling, Manchester United and to Arsenal. I got caught up in the emotion of the game and made a foolish mistake to run on to the pitch.
“I had no intention of approaching Chris Smalling. He happened to be there as I ran to congratulate the Arsenal players.”
Despite the incident happening on the same day that Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was attacked by Birmingham City supporter Paul Mitchell during the Second City Derby, Cooper has claimed that he had neither seen that incident nor was influenced by it.
In an unexpected turn of events he also revealed that he is a cousin of undefeated heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury.
“We were close as kids but do not see so much of him now,” Cooper said. “But I am very proud of what he has done.”
30-year-old Cooper, who is from Surrey, has been charged with common assault and is set to receive a lifetime ban from Arsenal.
