Fan charged after pitch invaders spark crowd brawl at Panthers vs. Rabbitohs match

A man has been charged by police following wild scenes which saw a host of spectators from Friday night’s clash between the Panthers and Rabbitohs arrested.

A man has been charged after allegedly punching police during wild scenes which left innocent fans fearing a riot towards the end of the Panthers and Rabbitohs clash at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.

Pepper spray was used on the 26-year-old after he struggled with police and security guards and left at least one security guard with a bloodied lip.

On-field pitch invaders sparked the crowd violence where a host of people were arrested but only one person has been charged.

Back-to-back pitch invaders – a woman and a man – stormed the field in quick succession towards the end of the game between Penrith and South Sydney.

The first, a female, calmly walked from the field but then a man ran onto the field moments later. He eventually clung onto the fence as he was dragged down by multiple security guards.

It took up to four to have him taken from the field before police intervened.

A witness who captured the footage feared a “riot” would occur given the tense situation.

As police came to the aid of security the situation worsened as crowd members reacted to the pitch invader being removed from the ground. Members of the crowd allegedly turned hostile.

A police spokesman said a person had been charged following an incident.

“A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting police at a rugby league match at a stadium in Penrith,” a spokeswoman said. “Just before 10pm, police assisted in removing a man from the stadium before he allegedly punched police.

The first pitch invader of the night at BlueBet Stadium. Picture: NRL Imagery

“After a short struggle, OC (pepper) spray was deployed before the man was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station.

“The 26-year-old man was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, hinder or obstruct person aiding law enforcement officer and destroy or damage property.

“He was given conditional bail to appear before Penrith Local Court on Thursday September 26.”

Another witness said punches were thrown towards the police and security guards. At least one security guard had a split lip.

It all occurred just metres from the northern in-goal line while the on-field play resumed.

A packed crowd of 20,176 filled the stadium at Penrith.