UK Edition
Middlesbrough fan faces court after allegedly urinating in QPR goalkeeper's water bottle
A Middlesbrough supporter has been arrested after being alleged to have urinated into a water bottle belonging to Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Alex Smithies, before throwing it back onto the pitch during the sides' match on Saturday.
The fan, who was sitting in the away end for Middlesbrough's 3-0 win at Loftus Road, was arrested after videos shared on social media appeared to show a man relieve himself into the bottle, which others have said was earlier taken from behind the goal by a pitch invader.
The video then shows the man chuck the bottle back onto the pitch, towards the goal Smithie was guarding.
The fan could face a ban from watching his team, and also faces a day in court, Metropolitan Police confirmed.
The force’s football unit tweeted: “After an investigation MPSFootballUnit can confirm that the male arrested at the QPRFC v Boro game yesterday has been charged with throwing an item on to the pitch.
“The male has been bailed and will appear at court next month.”
Cleveland Police's football officer said on Twitter: “I’ve been asked by a few followers and can confirm the so-called Boro fan who urinated in the QPR goalie bottle was arrested by colleagues from MPSFootballUnit. Disgusting act and I will do all I can to remove him from attending Boro games again.”
The win took Middlesbrough up to eighth in the Championship. QPR are 11 points behind in 16th.