Two Charlton fans given football banning orders after punch-up at The Valley

Two Charlton Athletic fans have been given three-year football banning orders after a brawl at The Valley stadium.

The men, who assaulted a fellow Addicks fan when Charlton played Derby County on August 6, 2022, were sentenced at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Jack Tapping, 27, of Middle Park Avenue, Greenwich, received the football banning order and a 12-month Community Order of 80 hours of unpaid work.

He also had to pay £85 in costs and £150 in compensation.  

Andrew McConville, 54, of Stone Street, Gravesend, received the three-year football banning order, a 12-month community order and a three-month No Alcohol Tag.

He was also fined £576 and had to pay £85 in costs and £150 in compensation.

Both men pleaded guilty to the charges.

During the match, a dispute started between two Charlton supporters.

McConville interjected to try and resolve the situation, but it resulted in McConville punching one of the supporters, who suffered minor injuries.   

Tapping, an associate of McConville, moved across a number of seats and also punched the victim, contributing to his injuries.

The incident was seen by CCTV operators but had been stopped from getting worse by fellow supporters, said The Met.

The victim was spoken to by officers and reported the assault.

The incident was caught on CCTV and both men were identified by police and arrested on the day. They were taken into custody at a South London police station and released under investigation.

Officers carried out an investigation with the Crown Prosecution Service and both were charged with assault by beating. Both pleaded guilty to the assault during a previous hearing at the same court.

Inspector Matt Ashmead, from the Met’s Football Unit, said: “No one should have to experience such behaviour from other individuals anywhere.

“We will not tolerate any form of violence or abuse at football matches and will robustly tackle such offences, holding offenders to account and bringing prosecutions where appropriate, as this sentence demonstrates.”

Charlton Athletic have been contacted for comment.

Pictured top: The Valley, Charlton Athletic’s stadium (Picture: Keith Gillard)