West Ham fan who ran onto the pitch to confront Eden Hazard during Chelsea defeat is arrested
Ian Paul Crouch has been bailed to appear at court in two weeks’ time
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Your support makes all the difference.A West Ham supporter who jumped over the advertising hoardings to confront celebrating Chelsea players during Monday night’s match between the two teams has been arrested.
Ian Paul Crouch, 51, has been bailed to appear at court in two weeks’ time.
West Ham are likely to press for Crouch to be banned from all football stadiums across the country as they attempt to crack down on anti-social behaviour at the London Stadium.
The club have implemented a five-point security plan for the Premier League following crowd trouble during the earlier EFL Cup meeting between the two teams in October.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Three people were arrested in connection with last night's match between West Ham and Chelsea in Stratford.
“A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of pitch encroachment. Ian Paul Crouch (12.10.1965) of Corringham, was subsequently charged with going on to an area adjacent to the playing area under sections 4 and 5 of the Football Offences Act 1991.
“He has been bailed to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on 21 March.
The statement added that another supporter had been arrested after attempting to smuggle in a flare to the stadium for the match, which West Ham lost 2-1.
“[In addition] A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of common assault. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to enter a stadium whilst in possession of a flare.
“Both remain in police custody at this time at east London police stations, and enquiries continue.”
With the exception of the two incidents the match at the London Stadium otherwise passed peacefully.
West Ham have been applauded for the implementation of their strict five-point policy which has helped to stamp out the crowd trouble which marred their first few fixtures at the stadium in Stratford.
Greater care has been taken to keep supporters after the match, the segregation area between rival supporters has been widened and stewards have been issued with handheld video cameras to help identify rule-breakers.
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