World Cup final pitch invader charged with trespassing, attempted theft of trophy

WCup final pitch invader to appear in court

JOHANNESBURG — The man who ran onto the field at the World Cup final and tried to touch the trophy will appear in court Monday on charges of trespassing and attempted theft.

Police spokesman Col. Tummi Shai says a 34-year-old Spanish man was arrested after breaching security ahead of kickoff and racing across the pitch toward the trophy on display near the players’ tunnel. He appeared to be trying to put a red hat on the trophy.

The man was tackled just before he reached the trophy and was carried away by security guards.

He is reported to be a serial pitch invader nicknamed “Jimmy Jump,” who has pulled off similar stunts at other major sporting events.