Former Arsenal Goalkeeper Graham Stack Details Pitch Invasion Punch-Up in Belgium
Ex-Arsenal shot-stopper Graham Stack has recounted a dramatic incident from his early career when he knocked out a fan during a volatile Belgian derby match. The 44-year-old, who also played for Reading, Leeds United, and Barnet, was a member of Arsenal's legendary Invincibles squad before retiring in 2018 to focus on coaching and organising boxing matches for fellow former professionals.
Loan Spell at Beveren Turns Chaotic During Heated Derby
At just 21 years old, Stack was sent on loan to Belgian side Beveren in 2002, where he found himself at the centre of a fierce rivalry clash against Royal Antwerp. Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Stack described how the match descended into chaos as objects were thrown onto the pitch, targeting him directly.
"It was a derby and Royal Antwerp are notorious for having a bit of a firm," Stack explained. "We were winning the game 3-1 but I was getting hit by so many objects. I'm really close to the fence, a cast-iron fence. Once we went 3-1 up, I'm like, 'Right, I'm gonna pepper a few back at them.'"
Pitch Invasion Sparks Violent Confrontation with Supporters
The situation escalated rapidly when supporters managed to breach the stadium's security, rushing onto the field during the ongoing match. Stack noted that only one or two elderly stewards were guarding the gate, which he found concerning. He suddenly realised his teammates were staring at him, only to discover that the gate had been forced open and fans were flooding onto the pitch.
"At this point I thought, 'You know what, I'm working, as far as I'm concerned this is my place of work. I'm winning a game 3-1, who do they think they are to run on the pitch and start throwing punches and sticking it on me? That's not the way it goes,'" Stack recalled.
Self-Defence Punch Lands as Police and Mounted Units Intervene
Faced with aggressive supporters, Stack decided to defend himself physically, forgetting about potential consequences like fines, suspensions, or even arrest. "I was not thinking about the effects after. I was not thinking about being fined, suspended, benched or being nicked. I didn't think of anything like that. It could have happened," he admitted.
He described how one fan kicked him, prompting Stack to retaliate with a punch. "Listen, it wasn't my best ever punch landed, I've got to say, but it was enough to put him down," Stack said. "Which I was happy with because I didn't want him getting back up." Another supporter reportedly retreated quickly after witnessing the blow.
The match was ultimately called off, with Beveren awarded the victory. Police, including horseback units, intervened as security had been heightened in anticipation of potential violence. Stack received full support from his club and faced no punishment from the Belgian FA, as his actions were deemed self-defence.
Incident Brings Unexpected Attention to Young Arsenal Loanee
Stack reflected that the altercation unexpectedly raised his profile, drawing attention to his loan status from Arsenal, which was not widely known at the time. The episode became a significant talking point, though it did not derail his career, which spanned over 350 professional appearances before his transition into coaching and event organisation.
