Nine charged over Manchester derby violence

Greater Manchester police confirmed nine people had been charged in connection with the trouble that flared on the pitch after Manchester United‘s last-gasp winner in their 3-2 Premier League away game against Manchester City.

As the team celebrated their victory, someone from the crowd threw a 2p coin which hit Rio Ferdinand above the left eye. A Manchester City supporter then ran on to the pitch to confront the defender as he stood with blood pouring down his face.

Among the charges faced by the nine people are racially aggravated public order and pitch encroachment. Police are still hunting for the person who threw the coin.

The man who ran on the pitch to confront Ferdinand was charged with pitch encroachment and released a statement confessing his guilt and apologising for his actions.

‘Ashamed of my actions’

In a statement, Matthew Stott, 21, said: “I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players.

“I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club.”

The landscape gardener from Knutsford slipped and fell as he approached the defender. City keeper Joe Hart then stepped in to separate the pair and restrain the pitch invader, who was eventually arrested.

Mr Stott said he would write to Ferdinand to apologise personally and thanked Hart for restraining him.

Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far…calm it!

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 9, 2012

Attacks condemned

Football Association (FA) chairman David Bernstein this morning condemned the attacks on Ferdinand and called for life bans for the culprits.

“It is deplorable to see those incidents and to see Rio Ferdinand with blood on his face is absolutely terrible,” he told Sky Sports News.

Mr Bernstein also said it was “disturbing” to see what he presumed was a return of racist incidents: “We’ve had racial abuse issues, the odd pitch incursion, things being thrown at players – it’s very unacceptable and has to be dealt with severely.

“To my mind it’s for the FA, the whole game of football and the authorities to work together to deal with this most severe matter.”

Unreserved condemnation

Manchester City apologised to Ferdinand after the incident and said it “unreservedly condemns” the incident.

Ferdinand, 34, posted on his Twitter account after the game: “what a result, 3points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin, what a shot! Can’t believe it was a copper 2p… could have at least been a #1 coin!”

He then wrote: “Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far… calm it!”