Leicester fan ran on pitch during FA Cup match after drinking 13 pints on coach
A Leicester City fan ran onto the Stamford Bridge pitch during the FA Cup tie with Chelsea after necking 13 pints of beer on the coach to London.
Joshua Peel, 27, has supported the Championship contenders since he was three and saw them lift the Premier League trophy against the odds in 2015.
But he was banned from watching his beloved Foxes after sprinting onto the field midway through the second half when Chelsea were leading 2-1, on their way to a 4-2 triumph.
The ball was in play at the time he ran onto the field, with Chelsea defender Axel Disasi about to play a pass.
Peel ran over the barrier and onto the field, before slipping a few yards from the ball, accidentally tripping up a steward in the process.
Eventually he was taken off the field, after gesturing towards the Leicester City supporters.
Peel, who admitted going into the playing area at a football match, had travelled down to Stamford Bridge from Leicester in a coach on March 17.
District Judge John Zani asked: ‘Were you drunk?’ To which Peel replied: ‘Yes.’
Mr Zani asked Peel how much he had been drinking that day, with Peel estimating around 13 pints. Mr Zani exclaimed: ’13 pints! That is ridiculous. Were you there with mates or on your own?’
Peel replied: ‘There was a bus load of us.’
Mr Zani asked: ‘Was it a bet? Did you think, we are losing, enough of this?
‘I tell you what concerns me, you are gesturing to the crowd, and that could have got someone else onto the field. That is an aggravating factor in my view.
‘You seem actually, quite a reasonable chap but that is because you are sober and your mind has not been taken by a ridiculous amount of alcohol.
‘What you did was totally unacceptable and it could have led to more trouble. When you get back to being able to go to a football match, be sensible and think twice.’
Peel, of Huncote, Leicestershire, admitted going onto the playing area at a designated football match.
He was fined £400, and must also pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £645 by May 1.
Peel was also handed a football banning order for three years.
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