Everton fan banned from football grounds after sending a supporter tumbling down a stand
The victim fell 15 rows down during the game against Arsenal
An Everton fan from Walton has been banned from every football ground in the country for three years after pushing a fellow supporter over more than a dozen rows of seats.
57-year-old Michael Flanagan, of Rice Lane, pleaded guilty to Section 39 assault following the incident during Everton's game against Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 20th December.
The court heard Flanagan was arguing with a man standing in front of him at the Upper South Stand end of the stadium when he pushed the victim backwards.
The man rolled up to 15 rows down the stand.
The victim, a man in his 60s, suffered swelling and soreness to the top of his head and some minor scratches to his legs.
He was checked over by medical staff at the stadium.
Flanagan appeared at Sefton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 1st September, where he was issued with a three-year Football Banning Order.
He was also ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work and to pay £750 compensation to his victim, £400 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Match Commander for the game, Superintendent Chris Barnes said: "This was a dangerous and shocking incident which escalated quickly and resulted in the victim being pushed backwards over rows of fans below him.
"Miraculously he was not seriously injured, largely owing to the fact that he eventually came to a stop on top of the shoulders of another supporter sitting a number of rows beneath him.
"This reckless behaviour could have been far worse, not least for those fans who were in the line of his fall. Fellow supporters were understandably shocked by what they witnessed and quickly alerted officers to what had happened.
"Flanagan is now paying the price for his reckless behaviour, and this ban prevents him from attending any football game in the country for three years.
"I hope this sentencing sends a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated, and acts as a warning to others that we will be put you before the courts to be prosecuted."
Dave Lewis, Everton's Head of Security and Stadium Safety Officer, said: "The safety of everyone attending Hill Dickinson Stadium is our absolute priority. This was a reckless and completely unacceptable act that could easily have resulted in far more serious injuries to the victim and other supporters nearby.
"We worked closely with Merseyside Police throughout its investigation and welcome the action taken by the court. The overwhelming majority of Evertonians behave impeccably on matchdays, but anyone responsible for violence or conduct that puts others at risk should expect to face the strongest possible action from both the Club and law enforcement authorities."