A BURY fan who slapped a Grimsby player on the pitch has been banned from his home club for life.

Stefan Camps slapped Charles Vernam after he slid off the field of play after being involved with a tackle with a Bury player towards the end of the 4-0 victory for The Shakers on Saturday, September 8.

Camps has been banned from Bury FC matches at Gigg Lane for life and banned from all UK football matches for three years.

PC Rob Smith, GMP’s Liaison Officer for Bury FC, said: “Violence has no place at football matches and anyone found committing such offences will be dealt with appropriately.

“Whilst we appreciate that football can evoke passion and emotion from fans watching a game, it does not give you an excuse to behave irrationally and assault another person.

“Stefan Camps is a grown man and is ultimately responsible for his own actions. Those actions now mean that he can’t go and watch his team, or any other side, in person in the UK for the next three years."

Camps, aged 30, of Cuckoo Lane in Bury appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court yesterday, where he was also given a community order - which runs until January 26, 2019 - and has to abide by a curfew requirement, which will see him wear an electronic tag, as well as pay legal costs, after pleading guilty to the assault charge.

The incident was included in the referee’s match report and referred to police for investigation.