A Spurs supporter who invaded the pitch to take a selfie with one of his idols faces being the first fan to be banned from the club’s new £1 billion stadium.
Star struck Harry Aygapong, 21, ran on to the playing surface to try and take a picture with England star Danny Rose during injury time as Spurs led Man City 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final at the new White Hart Lane.
University student Aygapong made a “spur of the moment” decision to invade the pitch before being beckoned over by Spurs defender Rose, magistrates were told.
Aygapong, who was of previous good character, was hauled off by security before being arrested following the high profile match earlier this month.
The star struck third year university student’s ‘moment of madness’ came about as the match entered injury time, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard today.
He ran over towards Rose, who was part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad that reached the World Cup semi finals last year, hoping for a selfie with his hero.
Bur Aygapong was quickly bundled away by security staff after handing himself over with his hands above his head.
He admitted going onto playing area at a football match without lawful authority.
Magistrates said they would waive a fine and hand him a 12 month conditional discharge because of his early admissions to police and previous good character.
But Agyapong wants to challenge a stadium ban and is due to appear before the court again next month.
Alex Britton, prosecuting, said: “The incidents took place on April 9 at Tottenham Hotspur’s football ground.
“They were playing Manchester City and the defendant was identified by security staff as a person who had run onto the football pitch at the end of the match between the 90th and 94th minute.
“He was detained by security staff and handed over to police.
“He admitted to the offence to police at the station and signed a notebook confirming that admission. He wasn’t interviewed.
“He has not got any previous cautions or convictions against him.”
The court heard Agyapong was not a season ticket holder and was gifted tickets for the match.
Abu Kibla, in mitigation, said: “The facts speak for themselves: he admitted it straight away to police officers.
“He is only 21-years-old and of good character.
“He makes a spur of the moment decision – a moment of madness.
“As soon as his feet landed on the pitch he realised he had done something wrong.
“Because he was on the pitch he was beckoned over by Danny Rose and attempted to take a selfie with him.”
Mr Kibla added: “This is completely out of character for him.
“He’s an intelligent young man. He said it was a mistake and he realised this as soon as he did it.”
Agyapong, of Enfield, north London, was handed a 12 month condition discharge and ordered to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge totalling £105.
He was bailed and will next appear at the same court to challenge his football banning order on May 17.
Spurs won the match 1-0 and went on to knock City out of the champions League.