Man City fan loses job after hurling PIE that hit him in the face during Champions League match

A Manchester City fan has lost his job and been banned from football matches for three years after he threw a PIE into the crowd during a game. Aaron Johnson, 30, claimed he had been hit by the pastry and hurled it back in a 'moment of madness' during the Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon.

Throughout the game in March this year tensions were high between fans on both sides with missiles being thrown, injuring two City fans. Some 47 people were ejected from the game, 100 supporters were refused entry into the Etihad Stadium, and a number of fans were arrested.

When the final whistle blew, a man, later identified as Johnson, was seen by officers to launch a number of items at Sporting fans, which included a cup containing liquid and a pie, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard. It is unknown if anyone was injured by the flying pastry. He has since lost his job as a chef due to his actions.

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Johnson, a lifelong City fan from Stockport, pleaded guilty to throwing a missile at a spectators area. He was handed a £40 fine and banned from going to any football matches in the UK and abroad for three years.

Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, told the court that after allowing supporters back into stadiums following the coronavirus pandemic at the end of 2021, there had been a ‘dramatic increase’ in violent disorder and anti-social behaviour during games. She said the topic had been documented and widely discussed between various Parliament members and in the media.

On March 9, kick off had taken place at 8pm, and police had categorised the game as a ‘medium risk’ to public safety and public order due to various supporters being