A 21-YEAR-OLD MAN has been charged with assault after former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was attacked by a fan during a game in the second-tier English Championship, police said today.
Kirkland was shoved in the face by a supporter who ran onto the pitch after Sheffield Wednesday conceded a 76th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United on Friday evening. The fan then ran back into the crowd after the incident during the televised match.
Aaron Cawley was arrested in Cheltenham yesterday and was charged by police with assault and entering the field of play. He was due to appear before magistrates in Sheffield today.
Kirkland, 31, has previously played for clubs including Liverpool and Wigan Athletic. He joined Wednesday from Wigan earlier this year. He made one appearance for England as a substitute in a friendly against Greece in August 2006.