NI fan admits injuring linesman

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8189724.stm

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A 41-year-old man who threw a coin which hit a linesman at an international football match has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Peter Savage, 41, has also been banned for life from Windsor Park for throwing the coin during Northern Ireland's game with Poland in March.

Savage, of De Wind Drive, Comber, pleaded guilty to assaulting Swedish assistant referee Stefan Wittberg.

Mr Wittberg was hit on the back of the head by the coin.

Belfast Magistrates Court was told Savage was identified by others around him and picked out from Sky Sports television footage of the match.

It was purely a stupid act of emotion when he threw the coin Defence solicitor

His solicitor, Pat Kelly, said the County Down man had attended Northern Ireland games for 30 years and had been left "deeply upset and distressed" by the court proceedings against him.

"He realises that whatever this court does to him he will be forbidden by the IFA (Irish Football Association) from attending any other matches," he said.

The solicitor added that Savage, who had been drinking before the game, had written a letter of apology to the governing authorities and also expressed regret towards Mr Wittberg.

"It was purely a stupid act of emotion when he threw the coin. He understands the shame this matter has brought upon himself and the team," he said.

There were several other violent incidents before, during and after the game, which Northern Ireland won 3-2.

Four Polish supporters previously pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour linked to trouble which flared at a city centre pub ahead of the game.