Manchester City Fan Allegedly Punched 12-Year-Old Arsenal Supporter at Etihad

A 12-year-old Arsenal supporter who made the trip to see his team take on Manchester City in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium was allegedly punched in the face by a home fan after Sunday's game. 

As reported by ITV Sport, Emerson Butler and his father were said to be making their way back to their car following the 2-2 draw involving the two sides when the altercation occurred.

According to the report, the 12-year-old spoke to a group of City supporters after the match, stating he said a draw was a fair result. One of the men is then thought to have punched him in the face in an unprovoked attack.

The Mirror Football Twitter feed shared a snap of the youngster, who was left with a bloodied nose and mouth:

“He is exceptionally tall, but there's no mistaking him as not a child and the man had spent time speaking to him before that,” said Emerson’s father, Richard, after the incident. "He had looked right in Emerson's face, he knew he was a child. Even now I still cannot believe that something like this has happened in 2016 at football.”

Per the report, City have been in touch with the Butler family about a potential return to the Etihad Stadium, with a VIP package offered for the visit of the Gunners in next season's Premier League.

Other supporters of the Citizens have raised £1,160 on a GoFundMe page “to be spent on showing him a true City welcome” next time around.

While praising the club in the report, Richard has encouraged the assailant to say sorry. “I would like him to apologise," he said. "If he has the character to do that, I don't know. It's probably not going to happen.”

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

As reported by Jeremy Armstrong of the Daily Mirror, Greater Manchester Police has condemned the alleged attacker, labelling the incident “a really low point," which it is taking “very seriously.”

On the field, City were pegged back on two occasions by the Gunners, meaning Arsenal can still potentially finish above rivals Tottenham Hotspur heading into the final weekend of the season. A point for City would ensure they will qualify for next term’s UEFA Champions League, with local rivals Manchester United two points back.