Five times players managers physically clashed with fans
Here are five instances where players or managers physically clashed with fans:
- Sir Alex Ferguson vs. Eric Whitley (1990): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was involved in a physical altercation with a fan, Eric Whitley, at a match against Crystal Palace. Ferguson had been criticized by Whitley, who was sitting in the stands, and the two got into a heated argument. The incident led to Ferguson being charged with assault, but he was later acquitted.
- Tony Adams vs. a fan (1991): Arsenal defender Tony Adams was involved in a physical altercation with a fan during a match against Tottenham Hotspur. Adams had been subjected to abuse from the fan, who was sitting in the stands, and the two got into a fight. Adams was later fined £1,000 by the FA.
- Graeme Souness vs. a fan (1991): Liverpool manager Graeme Souness was involved in a physical altercation with a fan during a match against Manchester United. Souness had been criticized by the fan, who was sitting in the stands, and the two got into a heated argument. The incident led to Souness being charged with assault, but he was later acquitted.
- Roy Keane vs. a fan (2001): Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane was involved in a physical altercation with a fan during a match against Liverpool. Keane had been subjected to abuse from the fan, who was sitting in the stands, and the two got into a fight. Keane was later fined £5,000 by the FA.
- Mauricio Pochettino vs. a fan (2019): Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was involved in a physical altercation with a fan during a match against Chelsea. Pochettino had been criticized by the fan, who was sitting in the stands, and the two got into a heated argument. The incident led to Pochettino being charged with misconduct by the FA, but he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.