Wow! Even Great Grandmothers are Not Sacred Anymore

Jun 23 02:53pm EDT

Leeds ban pitch-invading great grandmother

By Brooks Peck

As Leeds did its lap of honor after its final match of the season, 63-year-old great grandmother Margaret Musgrove invaded the pitch and was promptly escorted away by security (video here) and put in a holding cell. Now, the woman with 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren has been given an automatic ban of one year by the club because football clubs don't like pitch invaders, even if they're great grandmothers.

From the Yorkshire Evening Post:

Margaret said: "It's not like I am a hooligan. People who do much worse than this get the same ban.

"A suspension from a few games would have hurt, but I already feel like I have been punished enough."

Asked what she intended to do when she ran towards the players, Margaret added: "I just wanted to shout, 'Lads, I love you'.

"I had my Leeds United bag across my chest and a United flag tied around my waist. It was hardly threatening."

She added: "I've followed Leeds for years - I just got carried away.

"I don't go out, Leeds United is my social life."

Sadly, it seems Margaret still doesn't understand why she got the automatic ban. A spokesman for Leeds clarifies that it has nothing to do with being threatening (via the Guardian):

"Mrs Musgrove encroached the grassed playing area despite repeated pleas throughout the game for people not to do so and it's club policy to suspend people who do this.

"In excess of 30,000 fans abided by the message to please to keep off the pitch. For a club suspension she is entitled to appeal, which she has done."

It's a shame this had to happen to such a devoted and well-intentioned fan, but if rules against pitch invasion don't apply to grandmas, then players will be subjected to an endless stream of cheek pinches as they are force fed a variety of delicious pies and cookies.

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