Chelsea fan handed banning order for throwing vape at pitch

Samuel Wilding, 19, launched the item during Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge on April 26.

Chelsea were booed off the pitch after extending their worst run of form since 1993 in all competitions and slumped to 11th place in the Premier League.

Wilding, of Mackay Court, Colchester, admitted throwing a missile onto a football playing area during the match when he appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Sentencing - Samuel Wilding, 19, appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court (Image: PA/Press Association Images)

The teenager was banned from attending any football match in the UK for three years and from being within two miles of any Chelsea fixture four hours before and after the game.

He must surrender his passport when a national game is played outside of the country.

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Wilding was also fined £180 and ordered to pay £125 in costs and a surcharge during the sentencing.

A Football Association spokesman said the authority “strongly condemns” any missile throwing at matches.

Missile - Wilding threw the vape from among the crowd at Stamford Bridge (Image: PA)

He added: “[We] support action being taken by the relevant authorities”.

The incident follows figures released at the start of this season which revealed just one Colchester United fan faced a banning order in the previous campaign.

During the year to September, when the officials dished out 516 new football banning orders in total, with 1,308 in force by summer last year.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing, said: “Disorder is a problem that has not gone away.”

Jubilant - Brentford players celebrate scoring against Chelsea in April (Image: PA)

The police boss said incidents involving missiles, people entering the pitch and those using pyrotechnics has increased.

He added: “The statistics show a worrying rise in these crimes, which are both extremely dangerous for players, staff and fellow fans alike.”

Chelsea Football Club was contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of going to press.

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