LONDON, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Birmingham City fan who ran onto the pitch and punched Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish in the 'second city derby' in the English Championship (second division) on Sunday, has pleaded guilty to assault and invading the pitch.
The images of Paul Mitchel hitting Grealish from behind have gone around the world and shocked fans, players and press alike, provoking worries about the safety of players during games.
Mitchel's solicitor told Birmingham Magistrates' Court that his client couldn't "explain what came over him yesterday morning. His initial foolish intention was to just go on to the pitch and whip up the crowd."
The 27-year-old was taken to ground by a combination of Birmingham and Aston Villa players and led off the pitch by stewards and police after the incident.
Grealish had a statement read out in court in which he state; "I cannot help but feel how lucky I was in this incident. It could have been so much worse had the supporter had some sort of weapon."
The midfielder was able to continue after the attack and perhaps fittingly scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for his side.
Birmingham have confirmed that Mitchel will be banned from their ground for life and the club commented: "What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this - there are no excuses."
