Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Man Charged with Assaulting Jack Grealish Following Manchester Derby
A man has been formally charged with assault after an incident involving Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish at Old Trafford. The alleged altercation occurred at the conclusion of Sunday’s Premier League derby match against Manchester United, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Police have confirmed the charge relates to the player being accosted on the pitch after the final whistle of the high-profile football fixture.
Incident at Old Trafford
Jack Grealish, who was introduced as a substitute in the 74th minute of the match, was reportedly near the players’ tunnel at the Stretford End when the alleged assault took place. It is understood the individual approached and physically engaged with the Manchester City player as he was leaving the field.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Greater Manchester Police released a statement on Monday confirming the arrest and subsequent charge. The statement detailed that a 20-year-old male from Droylsden has been charged with assault in connection with the incident. He is scheduled to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on July 14th to answer the charge. The police confirmed the charge directly relates to the occurrence at Old Trafford the previous day.
Clubs’ Reaction
Both Manchester United and Manchester City have declined to issue any public statement regarding the matter. When contacted by media outlets, both clubs indicated they would not be commenting due to the ongoing legal proceedings. This silence reflects standard protocol for organizations when facing active legal matters related to alleged incidents concerning players or fans.
Fan Abuse During Match
Separately, during the same Manchester derby, Grealish’s Manchester City teammate, Phil Foden, was subjected to abusive chants from a section of Manchester United supporters. The offensive chants, targeting Foden’s mother, were audible during the first half of the game as City attacked towards the Stretford End. Following the match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola publicly criticized the behaviour, stating those involved lacked “class.” Both Manchester United and Manchester City have since jointly condemned the abusive chants directed at Foden.
Football Association’s Position
Despite the abusive chants, the Football Association (FA), the sport’s governing body in England, has stated they will not be taking any formal action regarding the fan behaviour. While the FA officially condemns offensive chanting of any kind, it has determined that the specific chants directed at Phil Foden did not meet the threshold to be considered a breach of their regulations. The FA’s regulations typically address discriminatory or explicitly prohibited chants, and in this instance, the chants, while offensive, were not deemed to cross that legal line for FA intervention.