Five Newcastle United fans face charges over 'pitch invasion' at Bournemouth

A Newcastle United fan is restrained by stewards and police at Bournemouth on Saturday. Five men have been charged with entering the playing area during a football match.

Six men and a 14-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of entering the playing area from the away section when Matt Ritchie scored a late equaliser to grab a point for the Magpies in a 2-2 draw.

Five of the men were also arrested on suspicion of assault.

Today, Dorset Police said that an 18-year-old from Newcastle, a 29-year-old from Berwick-upon-Tweed, a 31-year-old from Alnwick, and a 40-year-old from Newcastle have been charged with going onto the playing area at a football match and are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 2.

They have been released under investigation in relation to the alleged assault charge.

Related: Boy, 14, among seven Newcastle United fans arrested at Bournemouth over 'pitch invasion'A 24-year-old man from Andover in Hampshire has also been charged with going onto the playing area at a football match, and will appear at the same court on the same day.

A 14-year-old boy from Bournemouth, who was arrested on suspicion of going onto the playing area, has been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

And an 18-year-old man from Durham, who was arrested on suspicion of going onto the playing area and assault, was released without charge.

It is alleged a female steward sustained an injury to her nose during the incident. Inquiries are underway to ascertain whether an assault took place.

Newcastle United fans have accused the police and Bournemouth stewards of being too heavy handed, and over-reacting to them celebrating the late goal.