Man handcuffs himself to goalpost at Premiership football game - video

Transfer deadline day normally brings drama for football fans, as players are seen dashing off for medicals and being driven to football grounds in the dead of night to put pen to paper. However, last night's Premiership game between Everton and league leaders Manchester City made headlines for different reasons as an unusual protest took place.

At 8.40pm - around 40 minutes into the first half of the match - a spectator took to the pitch and handcuffed himself to one of the goalposts. Fans at Goodison Park and TV viewers soon saw him surrounded by security staff, police officers and players including Everton captain Phil Neville.



The man, named locally as 46-year-old John Foley, is believed to have been protesting against airline Ryanair's alleged treatment of his daughter.

Foley's previous protests against Ryanair have taken place at Liverpool's Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cheltenham racecourse and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

An extract from the match report on Everton's official website read: "Bolt cutters were used to remove the offender, who was roundly booed as he was escorted from the ground.

"It transpired that the supporter is a known professional protester, allegedly protesting about an airline's recruitment policy. He was arrested by Merseyside Police, who are now dealing with the matter."



Merseyside Police confirmed that a 46-year-old man from Southport was arrested for pitch invasion following the incident, and had been taken to a police station for questioning.

Everton won the match 1-0, as former Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson scored his first goal for the club.