A man has been arrested and charged after Jack Grealish was allegedly slapped in the face by a fan at the Manchester derby.
The City midfielder was making his way off the field following Sunday’s 0-0 draw when he was beckoned over by a member of the crowd next to the tunnel, at the bottom of the Stretford End.
In shocking scenes, Grealish was then assaulted – triggering a police investigation.
A 20-year-old man was subsequently charged with assault and will appear before Manchester magistrates in July.
Grealish, 29, is not thought to have been seriously injured following the attack. He came on for Ilkay Gundogan in the 74th minute.
Jack Grealish was allegedly slapped in the face by a fan close to the tunnel at Old Trafford
Grealish had come on as a 74th-minute substitute before the post-match incident
Both City and United declined to comment thanks to the live investigation. United are understood to be working closely with police.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Alfie Holt, 20, of Haven Drive, Droylsden, has been charged with assault. He will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court.
‘This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford Football Club yesterday.’
The incident came at the end of a drab game in which City’s Phil Foden was relentlessly taunted by home fans.
Following the match, City boss Pep Guardiola said derogatory chants about the England playmaker’s family showed ‘a lack of class’.
Grealish is pictured with girlfriend Sasha on the pitch after Premier League title win last year
Phil Foden was relentlessly taunted by home fans with chants about his mother
Claire Rowlands, 44, is pictured alongside her son as he signs a contract in December 2018
Sections of the Old Trafford crowd persistently labelled Foden’s mother a ‘s**g’ throughout the afternoon.
‘Lack of class. But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know?’ said Guardiola.
‘We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football – managers, owners, and football players especially.
‘Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.’