Two football fans have been charged following a pitch invasion at the Etihad Stadium, which marred Manchester City’s 2021/2022 English Premier League title celebrations on Sunday.

It was the latest in a series of incidents at grounds around England over the past couple of weeks.

Greater Manchester Police revealed inquiries were ongoing into the reported assault of Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen following Manchester City’s 3-2 win.

Phillip Maxwell, 28, was charged with throwing a pyrotechnic onto the pitch, while 37-year-old Paul Colbridge was charged with going onto the pitch.

Nottingham Forest fan Robert Biggs was jailed last week for assaulting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp following their second-tier play-off clash.

Also, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was involved in an altercation with an Everton fan as the Toffees celebrated staying up.

Former England striker Michael Owen backed fining clubs to try to stamp out the problem.

“I think in general we as human beings are a little bit like sheep. If we keep acting like animals, we’re going to be treated like animals, we’re going to be back to cages and fences and things like that,” Owen stated. “If they (clubs) are letting people through their turnstiles, they’ve got to be able to control those people. At the end of the day, they’re responsible. So, I think we’ve got to hold the clubs to account. Fining (them) I think is the easiest way.”

Owen admitted he would now be thinking about the possibility of being confronted by fans if he was still playing.

(dpa/NAN)