Football
PA Sport 6y

Steven Gerrard's cousin helps restrain pitch invader at Oldham vs. Rochdale

Oldham boss Richie Wellens has condemned a supporter who invaded the pitch in his team's match at Rochdale and appeared to target the referee.

The supporter slipped over as match official Peter Bankes looked to get out of his way, and was grabbed by Oldham's Anthony Gerrard.

Gerrard had just given away a penalty when he fouled the home side's Joe Thompson.

Joe Rafferty saw his spot-kick saved after a delay caused in part by the pitch invader, who sprinted towards the penalty area before falling.

Wellens said he had not witnessed the full incident, only noticing the moment the fan was stopped by Gerrard, who is a cousin of former England captain Steven Gerrard. The fan was then led away by stewards.

"I saw the end of it. I didn't see what happened, I saw someone slip into Gerrard," Wellens said.

"If he's a fan running on the pitch he's picking on the wrong lad in Gerrard because I've seen him box.

"For any fan to come onto the pitch is not right. Got loads of fans here who were brilliant and behaved."

Greater Manchester Police said they have charged a 27-year-old man with pitch encroachment, possession of a class A drug and a section 4 public order offence -- using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence.

He is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court on May 9.

The League One match at Spotland finished goalless.

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