Two football fans have been arrested after invading the pitch during Middlesbrough FC’s clash with Birmingham City on Wednesday evening.

During the Championship fixture, which finished 1-0 to Middlesbrough, two men were seen entering the pitch surface at the Riverside Stadium and running towards the players.

Despite security stewards and police officers managing to remove them from the field before they got to any of the players, Cleveland Police confirmed on Thursday morning that they were both arrested and charged for the incident.

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In a statement, the police force said: “Two men aged 19 and 22 have been charged with going onto a playing area at a football match following an alleged incident on Wednesday, October 5 at the Riverside Stadium during the Middlesbrough FC v Birmingham City FC game.

“Both men are due to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 20.”

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