Middlesbrough have handed a life ban to a father whose son ran onto the pitch during Saturday's Championship match against Stoke City at the Riverside Stadium. The club reinforced their zero-tolerance stance on pitch invasions, also identifying four other children who encroached after the final whistle and warning their parents face similar sanctions.
In a club statement, Middlesbrough said the child entered the field while the game was in progress, encouraged by his father who filmed the incident. When asked to leave, the father responded with abusive and threatening behaviour. The club noted that entering the pitch is a criminal offence and said it would encourage police to take further action.
Boro manager Chris Wilder expressed disquiet over the incursion, which occurred during stoppage time. Stoke's Nick Powell scored shortly after the pitch invasion, reducing Middlesbrough's goal difference as they compete for a play-off place. The Teessiders won the game 3-1, but Wilder was unhappy with the disruption.
