Leicester fulfil Gary Lineker’s ‘lifetime ban’ request after fan punches Forest players | Football | Sport

Leicester have confirmed they will slap the supporter, who threw punches at the Nottingham Forest players as they celebrated a goal in their 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round triumph, with a lifetime ban. The current holders of the competition endured a day to forget both and off the field as their supporters made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Before the match, footage emerged online of a small minority of Leicester fans launching chairs at the windows of a Nottingham pub.

It did not get much better on the pitch as Forest raced into a 3-0 first-half lead following three goals in nine minutes.

The embarrassment proved all too much for one enraged supporter, who evaded stewards before sensationally attacking the Forest players with a series of punches.

He was soon grappled and hauled off the pitch before being arrested.

The Football Association have now confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Leicester fan Gary Lineker made it clear he wants the club to come down hard on the individual, who he labelled an embarrassment.

He said on Twitter: “Whoever that so-called fan was who ran onto the pitch throwing punches at @NFFC’s players should be banned for life by @LCFC. An embarrassment and a disgrace.”

A Leicester statement read: “The club is appalled by such behaviour and offers its apologies to Nottingham Forest and its players whose safety was compromised.

“We applaud the swift action taken by City Ground stewards in apprehending the individual involved, who will be subject to a lifetime ban from all Leicester City fixtures at home and away.

“We will offer every support to the relevant authorities in pursuing further appropriate action.”

Watford loanee Philip Zinckernagel put the hosts in front when he turned home the ball off his knee after Keinan Davis headed across the face of goal.

Man of the Match Brennan Johnson, subject of multiple January bids from Brentford, then slotted home the second when he cutely nutmegged goalkeeper Danny Ward.

It was 3-0 just moments later when Joe Worrall got in on the act from a corner before Kelechi Iheanacho pulled his side back into the game with a brilliant consolation.

Tottenham target Djed Spence then put the game to bed when he finished with aplomb in the second half to dump the holders out of the competition.

Forest will now face Huddersfield in the fifth round, while Leicester have been left to lick their wounds as their disappointing season continues.