Arsenal fan told to pay rival £15,000 for attack

AN Arsenal fan was today ordered to pay £15,000 compensation to a rival supporter he attacked for celebrating an away goal at the Emirates Stadium.

Victim Michael Clancy suffered a broken nose, jaw and eye socket after David Knight pushed him down concrete steps and left him in a pool of blood.

Knight, 43, struck out after seeing Mr Clancy celebrating a first half own goal in the match against Aston Villa last March.

Knight, of Sidcup, pleaded guilty at Blackfriars crown court to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He was banned from going to matches for three years, ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and was given a year to pay Mr Clancy the £15,000 compensation.

But he escaped a jail sentence after the court was told "a lifetime of industry and sterling character was lost in a moment of temper and recklessness".

Knight reacted when Mr Clancy, who was sitting with home supporters, leapt to his feet when Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos scored an own goal. He was watching the match with his son, but rushed over to Mr Clancy, shoved him in the chest and sent him crashing down a flight of concrete steps. Knight walked back to his seat while fans rushed to help the unconscious man.

Knight, who has been nursing his wife during her recovery from a brain tumour, initially denied the attack but changed his plea shortly before he was due to stand trial.