Manchester City are being investigated by the Football Association regarding an alleged attack on Aston Villa’s Robin Olsen, following the visitors’ 3-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Olsen suffered facial injuries when the pitch was invaded by City fans celebrating Pep Guardiola’s team retaining the title. The goalkeeper, who was making his Villa debut, appeared to be assaulted twice near his goal as he began to walk off. As part of its investigation the FA will contact each club and Greater Manchester Police before deciding whether to charge City.
In a statement a GMP police spokesman said: “Inquiries into the reported assault of a player on the pitch after the final whistle are ongoing with officers working in partnership with both football clubs.”
City face a potential fine if charged and found guilty of failing to control their fans.
The Premier League champions issued an apology to Olsen and Villa immediately after the alleged assault.
On Sunday night Olsen responded to the attack via his Instagram account. “Those idiots who attacked me will not destroy my emotions of today’s game,” the 32-year-old said. “I got the opportunity to make my debut for this fantastic club, and we were really close to a good result against a tough opponent.”
The incident is the latest of similar episodes during pitch invasions. After Everton defeated Crystal Palace on Thursday at Goodison Park, Patrick Vieira lashed out at a fan who approached the visiting manager. It emerged on Monday that the Palace manager will not face criminal charges.
A 30-year-old Nottingham Forest fan, Robert Biggs, was given a six-month sentence for butting Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp after last week’s Championship playoff semi-final second leg. Forest banned Biggs for life and he was also given a 10-year football banning order.
GMP have charged two supporters who attended City’s victory over Villa. Phillip Maxwell, 28, of Anzio Row, Knowsley, was charged with throwing a pyrotechnic onto the pitch and was due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, GMP stated. Paul Colbridge, 37, of Whitegate Drive, Salford, has also been charged with going on to the pitch and will appear at the same court on 7 June. Both have been bailed.
