Football fan given 40-year stadium ban for attack on goalkeeper
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven have banned a supporter from their stadium for 40 years after he was found guilty of attacking Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during a Europa League match.

During PSV’s Europa League home leg against Sevilla in February, a spectator ran on the field and punched Dmitrović. Footage showed the supporter walking up to Dmitrović and throwing a punch at his head, before being quickly pinned down by the 6-foot-4-inch Serbian keeper and then escorted from the pitch by security personnel.

The 20-year-old man, who was already serving a national stadium ban and should not have been in the ground, was given a three-month prison sentence and also banned from the area around PSV's Philips Stadium for two years.

The club also said it will look to recover financial damages from the pitch invader.

The club can expect a heavy fine after UEFA opened a disciplinary case against them following the incident.

The former Charlton goalkeeper wrestled the man to the ground before stewards led him away.

Dmitrovic was able to continue as Sevilla lost 2-0 on the night, but went through 3-2 on aggregate.

Sevilla will play Manchester United in the quarter-finals.