THE West Ham fan that invaded the pitch against Burnley and stole the corner flag has now been identified.
And he has since declared that he “had to do something” as hundreds of Hammers fans turned against their own club during the 3-0 defeat.
According to the Daily Mail, 61-year-old Paul Colborne has now handed himself into the police.
Fans protested against club directors David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady as West Ham continue their battle for survival.
Mr Colborne leaped out of his seat at the London Stadium, before grabbing the flag and attempting to plant it in the middle of the pitch.
He said: “I have been going to see West Ham home and away for 49 years and have seen more than 2,000 games.
“I hadn’t planned anything, but I just felt I had to do something.
“You have to stand up for what you believe in. People have died and been put against a wall for what they believe in
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“I had to do something. I wasn’t being violent, but I couldn’t take it anymore when Burnley went 2-0 up.
“I got out of my seat in the Bobby Moore stand and climbed over the fence, got the flag and walked towards the centre circle.”
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The 61-year-old was then approached by Hammers midfielder James Collins as he attempted to push the corner flag into the centre spot.
Mr Colborne added: “James Collins came up and said ‘What are you doing?’ I said ‘You’ve been here 15 years Ginge, I love you, but I have been here 49 years’
“And eventually I put the thing into the centre spot.
“James Collins was real nice and really reasonable.”
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