Manchester Derby: Nine Charged After City V Utd

Nine people have been charged in connection with Sunday's stormy Manchester derby - as a pitch invader apologised for "letting himself down".

Another four arrests were made over incidents connected to the game, but police say they have so far failed to track down the fan who threw a coin at Rio Ferdinand - cutting the United defender's eye.

Meanwhile, one of the nine men charged, Matthew Stott, said he was sorry for running on to the pitch after Robin van Persie's late winning goal for United.

The landscape gardener, who slipped up as he ran on to the field before being restrained by City goalkeeper Joe Hart, issued a statement through his solicitors.

He said: "I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players.

"I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football club.

"I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans. I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch."

Greater Manchester Police's chief inspector, Steve Howard, said: "To have just 13 arrests for a crowd of this size and a match of this proportion is a testament to the policing operation we put in place.

"Despite fierce rivalry and high tension there was no major disorder. However, we will continue to investigate the coin throwing incident and are determined to work with the club to bring the perpetrator to justice."

All of the men, who were arrested in the wake of the clash at the Etihad Stadium, are due before Manchester City Magistrates' Court on January 4.

They are:

:: Peter Harrison, aged 30, of Kearsley, charged with racially aggravated public order.

:: Matthew Stott, 21, of Knutsford, and Christopher Johnson, 52, of Alderley Edge, charged with pitch encroachment.

:: Warren Singh, 18, of Heald Green, charged with section 5 public order.

:: Sam Weatherby, 21, of Farnworth, Bolton, and Philip O'Leary, 24, of Disley, Stockport, charged with breach of a football banning order.

:: Christopher O'Neil, 21, of Manchester, Nicholas Morley, 21, and Andrew Martin, 20, both of Blackley, charged with being drunk and disorderly.