Portsmouth set to ban fan who ‘kicked’ Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien for life
SunSport revealed the man pictured clashing with Sunderland players at Fratton Park was 50-year-old David Oppitz who is now facing a ban by Pompey and possible police action
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THE Portsmouth fan who appeared to kick and punch Sunderland's Luke O'Nien is facing a life ban from watching the club again.
Burly David Oppitz was caught on camera apparently taking sly potshots at Sunderland ace O'Nien during the League One play-off game against Portsmouth on Thursday night.
And Pompey have promised to take tough action against anyone found to have done anything wrong at the end of the police investigation into the assault.
That is likely to see the South Coast club issue a lifetime ban from Fratton Park to Oppitz.
SunSport tracked the 50-year-old down to his home in Havant, Hants, where the tracksuit and T-Shirt he wore during the ugly scenes were hanging on the washing line.
But he ended up tarnishing the reputation of the club with his reaction when O'Nien plunged over the advertising into the stands.
Oppitz, who lives in the Leigh Park area of Havant, a town just outside Portsmouth, seized on the opportunity to seemingly lash out with his feet and arms while others around him tried to help the player back to his feet.
His actions were spotted by fellow Sunderland players who dashed over to confront the tracksuited Oppitz as the situation threatened to spill out of control.
During their protests, one of the Oppitz's sons Warwick, seen in a light blue T-shirt, also launched into a tirade of abuse and appeared to shove a player away.
SunSport visited the home Oppitz shares with his wife, who refused to comment and turned our reporter away.
But hanging from the washing line in the back garden was a blue T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms identical to those worn by the fan who attacked O'Nien.
Hampshire police have opened an investigation into an assault, and spoke to the player immediately after the match for his take.
O'Nien later told reporters: "The bank falls so I went over the boarding and they had a few digs at me but that’s football. It’s fine."
Asked if the police had spoken to him, he added: "Yeah, they asked if I wanted to press charges but that’s just football.
"Listen, when the whistle goes it’s two teams going at it, two crowds going at it and that’s just part of it. So, yeah, no problem.
"There was a little bit [of contact] but he didn’t hurt me or anything. I think he got arrested in the end, but he can have that one."
Team-mate Lee Cattermole added: "He was punched in the back – I was very disappointed and very surprised that people think they can do that when they come to watch a game.
"Someone like Luke as well, he’s a fantastic lad. He doesn’t need or deserve that.
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"It was a tense atmosphere, I’ve played here a few times. It’s a great ground with a cracking support and it’s a shame sometimes one lets them down."
A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm we are investigating an assault against a Sunderland player at the Portsmouth v Sunderland football game at Fratton Park last night (Thursday, May 16).
"No-one has been arrested at this time."
Portsmouth said in a statement: “Portsmouth Football Club are working with local police on an ongoing investigation.”
