Man in custody after assault on footballer

A MAN accused of punching a Scottish footballer to the ground during a pitch invasion after an FA Cup upset was arrested yesterday.

TV cameras caught a pitch invader flooring Stevenage FC full back Scott Laird, a former Scottish schoolboy international, with a single punch while he celebrated his side's 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

The footage showed the attacker running away and hiding among the melee of supporters while shocked fans rushed to Laird's aid.

Laird was knocked unconscious but not seriously hurt by the attack, which happened minutes after the League Two team's win against the Premier League side.

A 24-year-old man was being held in police custody on suspicion of assault yesterday after he handed himself in to Stevenage Police Station.

Speaking after the match Laird, who regained consciousness in the changing rooms, claimed he thought the fan was coming to celebrate with him.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault following an alleged offence at Stevenage football ground on 8 January.

"The incident is believed to have happened at about 7:30pm just after a football match between Newcastle and Stevenage FC football clubs."