A well-known prankster has been arrested after storming the pitch moments before the England versus Australia rugby league match at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. Daniel Jarvis, known as 'Jarvo 69', positioned himself alongside the Australian squad during their national anthem before being removed by security.
The incident occurred during the second fixture of the resurrected rugby league Ashes series, which Australia won 14-4 to secure the series. Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest of a 37-year-old man from Gravesend, Kent, on suspicion of possession of articles for use in fraud and fraud by false representation.
Jarvis has a history of sporting disruptions, including a 2021 stunt at the Principality Stadium before Wales v New Zealand, where he walked onto the pitch unchallenged in All Blacks kit, prompting a security review. In 2022, he invaded the pitch during an England-India Test match at the Oval, colliding with player Jonny Bairstow, resulting in a conviction for aggravated trespass and a suspended sentence.
Other incidents include disrupting Sky Sports' transfer deadline day broadcast, infiltrating the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, and interrupting BBC's live FA Cup coverage with explicit audio. District Judge Daniel Benjamin previously warned that such behaviour risks physical harm to players and officials and will face severe court sanctions.
