Birmingham fined by FA over pitch invasion by fan who attacked Grealish

Birmingham have been fined £42,500 after a supporter ran on to the pitch and punched Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish during the derby match at St Andrew’s in March.

The Sky Bet Championship club has also been warned about their future conduct, the Football Association has announced.

An independent Regulatory Commission found the club failed to ensure fans “conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from improper and/or violent behaviour and/or refrained from encroaching onto the pitch area”.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was attacked by a Birmingham fan during a Championship match in March

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was attacked by a Birmingham fan during a Championship match in March (Sky Sports/PA).

Paul Mitchell, 27, was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to assault and a charge of encroaching on to the playing surface.

He was given a 10-year football banning order and Birmingham banned him for life from St Andrew’s.

Grealish went on to score the winner in Villa’a 1-0 victory.

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