16 year-old England fan in court after Malta v. England pitch invasion

A 16 year old boy from Peterborough who invaded the pitch during yesterday’s international football match between Malta and England has been banned from Maltese sporting facilities for a year.

The youth, whose name is being withheld on the court’s orders, appeared before magistrate Joe Mifsud this morning, accompanied by his mother.

#MALENG @ladbible @JakePeachey4 .. well done lad. Enjoy the cell, ya mums fuming 😂 pic.twitter.com/wqyaqryees

— Tony Harper (@MRTonyHarper) September 1, 2017

Before the match, the boy tweeted “I'll go live on instagram...everyone get there for the Malta V England pitch invasion #MalEng”

Inspector Elliott Magro said the police ended up having to restrain other supporters from copying the young England fan.

The youth, who told the court that he is studying computing, spent the night in the police lockup.

The court asked what team he supported - Arsenal. “You always come close but never win anything,” joked the magistrate, well-known for being a Juventus supporter. He scolded the boy, remarking that his actions were wrong, irrespective of their motivation.

Inspector Magro said the UK authorities were likely to impose a minimum 6 year travel ban and a lifetime ban from attending games.

Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar, legal aid to the accused, entered a guilty plea. The magistrate, who appeared to see the funny side of the boy's actions, imposed a one-year conditional discharge and banned the youth from entering sports facilities in Malta for a year, together with a €200 fine. "You’re welcome to return to Malta. You're not a hooligan.”