Boy, 14, among seven Newcastle United fans arrested at Bournemouth over 'pitch invasion'

Dorset Police arrested seven Newcastle United supporters, including a 14-year-old, as there was late drama at the end of the Premier League game at Bournemouth.
By Gary Welford
Published 17th Mar 2019, 10:22 BST
Updated 17th Mar 2019, 11:13 BST
A Newcastle United fan is restrained by stewards and police after invading the pitch during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Pic: Mark Kerton/PA Wire.A Newcastle United fan is restrained by stewards and police after invading the pitch during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Pic: Mark Kerton/PA Wire.
A Newcastle United fan is restrained by stewards and police after invading the pitch during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Pic: Mark Kerton/PA Wire.

Visiting fans spilled on to the Vitality Stadium pitch while celebrating Matt Ritchie's stoppage-time equaliser which rescued a 2-2 draw for Newcastle.

Salomon Rondon gave Newcastle the lead before Bournemouth's Josh King scored from the penalty spot, and then grabbed his second nine minutes from time.

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However, Ritchie's stunning volley in injury-time snatched Newcastle a late point, and sparked ugly scenes as some visiting fans entered the pitch and clashed with stewards.

A possible assault on a female steward, who suffered an injury to her nose, is also being investigated.

A statement from Dorset Police said: "Six men and a 14-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of going onto the playing area at a football match from the away supporters' stand and are assisting officers with their inquiries.

"One female steward sustained an injury to her nose during the incident and investigations are under way to establish whether any assault took place."

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Related: 'Absolute disgrace' and 'they weren't a danger to anyone': What Newcastle fans said after arrests at Bournemouth

Trouble caused by supporters entering the field of play has been in the spotlight following a series of high-profile incidents last weekend.

Birmingham supporter Paul Mitchell was jailed after punching Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish in last Sunday's second-city derby, while Manchester United defender Chris Smalling appeared to be pushed by an Arsenal fan on the same day.

Those events followed Rangers captain James Tavernier being confronted by a pitch invader at Hibernian two days earlier.

But some Newcastle fans were critical of the way police and Bournemouth stewards reacted to the situation, and pointed out yesterday's incident was very different to last weekend's.