'Fighting drunk' pleads guilty to assault
Associated Press, Updated 1 hour ago
LONDON (AP) - A man who punched Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in the groin outside a London train station pleaded guilty Wednesday to assault.
Kevin Reynolds, a 43-year-old from Scotland who was described as a homeless "fighting drunk" in court, also admitted to attacking and racially abusing a police support officer who was called to the scene.
Ferguson was waiting to be picked up outside the Euston train station in central London when the attack occurred Monday afternoon. Ferguson had soreness and tenderness after being punched but was not seriously injured, officials told the City of London Magistrates Court.
The court was told that Ferguson thought the man staggering toward him was a beggar. Instead, Reynolds punched him and said: "I'm sorry Fergie, I did not know it was you."
Reynolds then allegedly chanted "Fergie, Fergie, shut your mouth" - a soccer chant common in Scotland.
The court was told that Reynolds had consumed half a bottle of vodka and several beers before the attack.
Magistrate Daphne Wickham described Reynolds as a "fighting drunk" and dismissed claims that he had been joking around.
"I do not think Sir Alex Ferguson saw this as a joke," Wickham said.
Reynolds was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing date, which has yet to be determined. He could face up to two years in jail.
Ferguson, who is also Scottish, has won 20 titles in two decades as manager of Manchester United, including nine Premier League titles and the 1999 European Cup. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 for services to soccer, which allows him to be called Sir Alex.
Ferguson had traveled from Manchester to London to attend a charity event.
He punched the coach in the dick, wow.
