Chelsea fan fined and banned after assault on Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka
A fan who invaded the Stamford Bridge pitch and assaulted Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka after Chelsea's late equaliser in the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie before Christmas has been fined over £800. Jordan Chidley, 25, has also been given a three-year banning order from football.
The incident came following Mykhailo Mudryk's dramatic 96th-minute goal to keep the Blues in the competition. Chidley admitted assault by beating and unlawfully entering the field of play.
Prosecutor Malachy Pakenham said: «The steward tries to grab him, he then puts his arms out and grabs and touches the goalie who pulls away from him.» Pakenham added that the contact was, quite minimal."
In mitigation, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that his actions were not «malicious» but «just euphoria.» District Judge Neeta Minhas explained the punishment, stating a wish to, «send out a message to deter other people from doing something similar.»
Chelsea went on to win the game via a penalty shootout, scoring all of their four efforts against Dubravka. They will face Liverpool in the final on February 25 after overcoming Middlesbrough over two legs last month.
Mauricio Pochettino's side came from behind on the night in question. Callum Wilson had put the visitors ahead in the first half before a mistake from Kieran Trippier left Dubravka exposed in the box.
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