Alfie Holt, a 20 year old Manchester United season ticket holder in the Stretford End, has pleaded guilty to assaulting the Manchester City player, who came on in the 74th minute, after a verbal altercation following the goalless Manchester derby in April.

Holt, who he says was provoked by Grealish allegedly calling him a “little ugly w*****,” slapped the City player as he left the field at Old Trafford. No injury was reported. The fan was arrested outside of the ground.

Holt has been fiend £120, ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge, and received a three-year Football Banning Order.

His Manchester United season ticket was revoked. Holt, who had no prior convictions, spoke of his regret, with his parents agreeing to paying the fines within 28 days.

The court emphasised the need for punishment and deterrence to protect players from such conduct.

A Manchester United season ticket holder has admitted to assaulting Manchester City and England midfielder Jack Grealish by slapping his face, claiming that the footballer insulted him. pic.twitter.com/JBMmvLCW7Q

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 14, 2025

“I did not expect him to say what he said to me and I have reacted. I regret it. That’s it.”

Shazia Aslam, prosecuting, said to the court that Grealish was leaving the pitch at the end of the game, which was broadcast on Sky Sports, with a sell-out crowd and was always a “contentious affair”.

“Both sets of fans were very vocal, shouting abusive comments to rival players,” Ms Aslam said.

The court was told that as players made their way for the tunnel, Holt stood very close by, shouting abuse at Manchester City players.

“As the complainant, Jack Grealish, a Manchester City player, enters the tunnel area, he hears the defendant shouting comments towards him. He turns and walks towards him. Both have an exchange of words.

“As the complainant walks away, the defendant slaps the complainant across the face. There was no injury. He was arrested outside the stadium.”

In a witness statement, Grealish said to police that he could not hear what the defendant was shouting due to the crowd noise, so he walked towards him and tried to engage in conversation and leaned in to speak to the defendant.

He couldn’t hear what was being said, so he moved to walk away when he was slapped.

After being arrested, Holt thens said to police that he had been drinking before the game “in town” and went to the game with his Dad.

He told police he was shouting abuse at Man City players, including Phil Foden, who ignored him. Foden also received shameful chants, condemned by Pep Guardiola as can be seen below…

Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans over ‘shameful’ Phil Foden and cheating b*stards chants

The Man Utd fan then shouted, “k*******” at Grealish, who reacted and a “verbal altercation took place,” the court heard.

“You little, ugly w*****,” then “flipped” and reached out and slapped the footballer.

Magistrates saw a short clip of what happened, which came with no sound.

“The defendant uses force against a player. Players are extremely vulnerable to this sort of conduct and need to be protected.”

Melanie Winstantley, defending, said Holt had no previous convictions and had never been arrested before, so the incident was completely out of character for him.

His Manchester United season ticket, which he has had for 12 years, had already been revoked, which is a “significant punishment” to him.

“He’s admitted what he’s done, he’s owned what he’s done. It’s a very minor assault.”

Ms Winstanley also said Grealish had “doubled back” after going into the tunnel to speak to Holt.

“He didn’t have to do that. It’s not unusual for players and fans to engage in banter at football matches. I’m not trying to excuse the behaviour.”

Passing sentence, chairwoman of the magistrates’ bench Jill Hodges said to the defendant that she accepted Holt had pleaded guilty, regretted his actions, but added that a “punishment and deterrence” for such behaviour was needed.

The court heard fines cannot be deducted from Holt’s Personal Independence Payments, so his parents, who he lives with, have agreed to pay them in full within 28 days.