A man ended up in court today after invading a pitch at a top football game.
Youssef el Hamalawy got excited when James Maddison scored a 90th minute winner during the Dons clash with Rangers at Pittodrie last month.
The 23-year-old ran halfway up the pitch to celebrate the “superb” goal that clinched the game while the players were still outside.
Fiscal depute Karen Dow said there had been a hostile atmosphere during the match, particularly at the segregation fence.
She said: “There were a number of incidents of disorder which required police intervention as the match came to a conclusion.
“Police officers standing in the South Stand saw the accused walk through an unlocked gate allowing access to the football pitch.
“He ran from the South Stand to the halfway line before turning back to where he entered the pitch.”
Police later caught up with el Hamalawy, who stressed he was not an actual football supporter and that he had not been aware of any hostilities between Dons and Rangers fans.
The court heard that he told officers: “I’m really sorry for running on to the pitch.
“I regret what I did.
“I thought others were trying to do it and I just kept running and didn’t know what to do.”
Defence lawyer Charles Benzies said his client had attended the match with friends completely oblivious to the animosity between both sets of fans.
He said el Hamalawy got carried away with the “superb” goal scored by Aberdeen midfielder Maddison which sealed the victory for the home side.
Mr Benzies described his client as being “extremely embarrassed” by his foolhardy actions.
Sheriff Alison Stirling fined el Hamalawy, of Ardarroch Road, Aberdeen, £300.
