Newcastle United

Football

Corner flag hits fan in the groin amid frantic Newcastle celebrations

| 19 January 2020

Corner flag hits fan in the groin amid frantic Newcastle celebrations

'Apologies from Matt Ritchie… and the corner flag.'

Isaac Hayden’s stoppage-time winner brought joy to Newcastle fans on Saturday evening, but for one supporter there was some pain too.

Amid the rapturous celebrations, following Hayden’s header into the Chelsea net four minutes into time added on, the Magpies’ Matt Ritchie booted the corner flag into the crowd – unfortunately sending it hurtling into a man’s groin.

A viral video taken in the stands showed the fan, in blue jeans and a dark grey jacket, recovering on the steps of the stands at St James’ Park to the amusement of those around him.

Apologies from Matt Ritchie… and the corner flag 😅😬#NUFC pic.twitter.com/Wz86Vpl1m4

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 18, 2020

Josh Greener, 20, filmed the fan and said: “It does like a couple of spins and hits him right in the balls.

“Only me and my dad noticed at the time and we were in stitches. He even had a mark on his pants where it hit him.”

Sharing a GIF of the moment, Newcastle tweeted after the game: “Apologies from Matt Ritchie… and the corner flag.”

For Scotland international Ritchie, 30, kicking the corner flag has become something of a trademark celebration.

“No one is safe around Ritchie when we score,” posted Twitter user @lasseisd. “Not even the fans.”

Hayden’s winner from Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross sealed the three points for Steve Bruce’s side, pulling them seven points clear of the Premier League drop zone.