Man charged with assaulting Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale after match

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, in green, is ushered away after an incident at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. The incident happened when a spectator climbed onto an advertising board and appeared to kick Ramsdale after the team's 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League. (Frank Augstein/AP Photo)

LONDON (AP) — A man was charged Tuesday with assaulting Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after the team’s Premier League game against Tottenham.

The Metropolitan Police charged Joseph Watts, 35, with assault by beating, Britain’s Press Association reported.

Watts is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court in London on Feb. 17.

Ramsdale appeared to be kicked in the back by a spectator after picking up a water bottle from behind one of the goals after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

The spectator was seen leaping over a railing and mounting an advertising hoarding before attacking Ramsdale.

Ramsdale didn’t seem hurt and was dragged away from the area by teammates before celebrating in front of Arsenal’s supporters at the other end of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Football Association has said it strongly condemns the incident.

“This is wholly unacceptable behavior,” the governing body said, “and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure the appropriate action is taken.”

Comments are turned off for this story.