Fan punched to ground by security guard after storming pitch to cover World Cup trophy with a hat

Pitch invasion: 'Jimmy Jump' bursts on to the grass and attempts to throw a hat over the World Cup trophy

Lightning reaction: A security guard runs on to the pitch to stop Jaume Marquet Cot

Security alert: Jump is punched to the ground by a security guard

A serial pitch invader was punched to the ground by a security guard as he stormed the Soccer City ground and threw a hat over the solid gold World Cup trophy before last night's final.

Notorious Barcelona fan Jaume Marquet Cot - known as 'Jimmy Jump' - fell to the floor after being knocked out with one hit as he ran across the grass to the ceremonial stand 10 metres from the team dug-outs.


Game over: Marquet Cot is held on the ground by security officials

Shock: Officials and football fans look astonished as Marquet Cot lies on the floor.Floored: The pitch invader falls to the ground after being hit by a security guard

Facing jail: Jump is carried from the Soccer City grounds and is charged by police

The joker, who is in his mid-30s, sprinted across the turf wearing a black T-shirt with writing that said 'Jimmy Jump against racism' while holding his trademark red Catalan hat.
After being punched to the ground, he was carried down the tunnel by seven stewards, past astonished players and officials who were lining up ready to take to the field.

As a result of the pre-match stunt, the famous World Cup trophy was kept under lock and key during Spain's 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
Marquet Cot, from Sabadell, Catalonia, has previously pulled off security breaches at high-profile events including the Spanish Grand Prix, the Eurovision Song Contest and top European football matches.

A police spokesman said: 'The man is Jaume Marquet Cot, who has done this sort of thing before.
We're pretty annoyed that antics like this got in the way of the start of the match, but at least it wasn't a life-threatening situation.

'The bottom line is he has shown serious disrespect for the authorities and for the tournament. For that he will pay.'

WORLD CUP 2010: Holland striker Dirk Kuyt blasts 'cheating Howard Webb' for handing World Cup to Spain

Dirk Kuyt pointed the finger of blame for Holland's World Cup final defeat by Spain at English referee Howard Webb.

Webb brandished 13 yellow cards and one red - a record for a final - in a fiery encounter which saw Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal secure a 1-0 win for Spain.


Favouring Spain? Howard Webb had no choice but to send off John Heitinga after fouling Andres Iniesta

...but is only booked by Howard Webb while the Spaniard fights for breath

Favouring Spain? Holland's Nigel de Jong takes out Xabi Alonso chest high...

Favouring Spain? Holland coach Bert Van Marwijk should be grateful his side did not have three players sent off

 
Favouring Spain? Howard Webb books Spanish defender Carles Puyol, one of five Spaniards to be shown a yellow card

 
The South Yorkshire official was booed by Dutch fans at the final whistle and
Liverpool forward Kuyt said: 'We are angry that we lost because we came so close. I know you cannot blame others, but the referee favoured Spain.

WORLD CUP OFFICIAL LINE: Tetchy final made it impossible for Howard Webb to shine

An honour: Referee Howard Webb, with assistant referee Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, were the first all English team to officiate the World Cup final since 1974

Missed: Nigel de Jong escaped with just a yellow card for this kick on Xabi Alonso. Webb was poorly positioned at the time

Supporting Howard Webb this World Cup has been easy. But it is impossible to shine in a game like this one — tetchy, physical and tense.

Overall, he did ok but will wince when seeing the Nigel de Jong tackle in his debrief.
How many of the Dutch can say they were true to their football history when there were a record 13 yellow cards and one red? It’s easy to blame the ref, but Holland’s tactics were shameful.


I'm the boss: Webb usually let his cards do than the talking for him

Dutch protests at the goal rightly fell on deaf ears. No one, least of all Webb, could have any sympathy. The right team won.

Player management

A surprising lack of talking to the players from the first minute following Robin van Persie’s poor challenge. Usually an excellent communicator and a calming influence, Webb let his yellow cards do his talking for him. Players made it tough for him by crowding him.

Fitness

Webb’s strength is his fitness and movement; never far from the action but never in the way. Strangely out of position by the touchline in the 28th minute, he missed full impact of De Jong kick.

Assistants

Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey did what they could to assist Webb and continued to give him all the support they could. Two close but correct offside calls by Cann against David Villa proved once again that he is the best in the world. Mullarkey was also right when he kept his flag down for Andres Iniesta to score the World Cup-winning goal in extra-time.
Decision making

It’s all about getting the big decisions right. De Jong’s kick to the chest of Alonso was an obvious red — Webb can’t have seen it clearly. Van Bommel could also have seen red in the first half. The detection of fouls was excellent but the disciplinary measures taken were not.

Match management

Balance, fair play and credibility are the key to refereeing. This was a poor game, tough to handle and made more so by the approach of the players. Watching on TV, it was clear the unfair physical approach of the Dutch was allowed to stifle the Spanish flair. When the yellow card doesn’t work the red should be shown.