The pitch invader who attacked Nigeria international goalkepper Maduka Okoye during the course of the Dutch Eredivisie game between Vitesse and Sparta Rotterdam has revealed the reason behind his actions.
Sparta Rotterdam were leading 1-0 away to Vitesse and with the game winding into stoppage time, Okoye who saved a penalty aside six other saves was forced to deal with a pitch invader before he was struck in the head with an object.
The incident made the referee to halt the game and Vitesse have now released a statement explaining what happened during the course of the game after identifying the spectator who invaded the pitch.
With a statement tagged “Back together to a safe and atmospheric football party’ Vitesse on their official website recants the incident.
“The absolute low point was the discontinued match against Sparta. Maduka Okoye , the keeper of the Rotterdam team, was harassed by a field stormer and not much later a cup of beer was thrown against his head. When fireworks were also thrown towards Sparta’s goal, centre referee Rob Dieperink had to call of the game and send the players in.
“The annoying thing for Vitesse is that last Friday’s pitch stormer was ‘a lost German’. ‘The clash with Sparta was overshadowed by the misbehavior of a few individuals, who ruined it for the vast majority. In some cases it is even about a loner who has never been to GelreDome. For example, think of Friday’s field stormer; a lost German, with a lost bet. Completely unaware of what damage he would cause with his action,” they statement explained further.
As part of the measures to curb the situation from happening again, the club has suspended a large number of supporters involved in the event of that day and also beef up the security all round the stadium.
