FA ‘strongly condemns’ attack on Aaron Ramsdale as Tottenham vows to ban fans

The football association “strongly condemned” the incident it saw Arsenal the goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale attacked by a fan after his team’s win over Tottenham in the North London derby.

A spectator jumped onto the billboards outside the goal after Arsenal’s 2-0 win and tried to kick Ramsdale in the back.

The FA said in a statement: “We strongly condemn the incident involving a spectator following today’s Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

“This is completely unacceptable behavior and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure that appropriate action is taken.”

Tottenham said they had already reviewed CCTV footage to identify the fan and would take the “strongest possible action”, including an “immediate” stadium ban.

“We are appalled by the behavior of the fan who attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match,” the club said in a statement.

“Violence in any form has no place in football.”

In a statement from the Metropolitan Police on Sunday night, they said: “Following the Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal match on Sunday 15 January, police received reports of an assault on an Arsenal player after the match had finished.

“The investigation is ongoing. There was no arrest.”

Speaking after the game, Ramsdale told Sky Sports: “The Spurs fans gave me a bit during the second half, I gave them back a bit, which for the few people I did it with was probably well received, like sportsmanship .

“Then the fan tried to jump over and hit me a little on the back. That’s what happened and it’s a shame because at the end of the day it’s just a game of football.

“I think both sets of players tried to get me out. Fortunately, nothing drastic actually happened. It’s a sour taste, but I’m sure we’ll enjoy it when we get back in the dressing room.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Artetawho claimed not to have seen the incident, was asked if it bothered him that players could be attacked so easily.

“We will deal with it,” Arteta said. “There is nothing we can do now. I don’t want it to take away 0.0001 percent of the joy and pleasure we have at this moment. We’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte said: “When that happened, that’s the situation, it’s not good.

“It is better to always show respect, at any moment, to the opponent, to the players. When it happened, I didn’t like it.”

Tottenham defender Eric Dyerwho served a four-match ban in 2020 for walking into the crowd to confront abusive fans after the FA Cup defeat by Norwich, described the Ramsdale incident as “unacceptable”.

He told Sky Sports: “I haven’t seen it but obviously it’s really unacceptable. There is nothing more I can say except that this is unacceptable and it should not have happened.”

The Premier League said in a statement: “The Premier League condemns the behavior of the fan following the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal tonight.

“Acts of violence have no place in football and under no circumstances should players be attacked or fear for their safety during games.

“The league will support the clubs and the relevant authorities in taking the strongest possible action against those responsible.”

The Professional Footballers’ Association said in a statement on Twitter after the incident: “Violence against players is completely unacceptable. Such incidents happen all too often.

“Players have a right to safety in their workplace. When a player is attacked, we expect the laws and regulations in place to protect them to be properly enforced.

“As a players’ union, we make this a priority. We will continue to work with the authorities to demand that players and staff are better protected in their workplaces.”

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who works as a pundit for Sky Sports, said: “This is absolutely unacceptable from Spurs fans.

“That’s part of football, you’re always going to get a bit of stick. But for a fan to come and do that, to come and try to push a player playing on the field, that’s absolutely unacceptable.

“I’m sure Spurs will act accordingly. He should not be allowed in the football stadium, this guy. Totally out of order.”