Jordan Dunn escaped serious punishment for his moment in the sun.
On Aug. 17, Dunn ran onto the field during West Ham’s Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur and took a free kick. Dunn’s antics made him not only an Internet sensation, but also a criminal.
Dunn appeared in court Monday to face charges of unlawfully entering the playing area. The 22-year-old admitted he had been drinking before the game and apologized for “a moment of madness” before promising not to do it again, according to the BBC.
Then, Judge Gareth Branston stole the show.
“You had consumed alcohol and your stride pattern was a bit out of kilter, but to borrow a phrase you did ‘bend it like Beckham,’ ” Branston said.
Branston went on to praise Dunn for taking a better free kick than Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, who subsequently missed the target.
“I understand that the professional footballer who followed you did not do any better,” Branston continued.
Branston ultimately fined Dunn £305 ($500) but declined to ban him for violating the Football Offences Act, citing his previous record of good behavior.
Dunn has enlisted his fellow West Hams to help pay his fine. Dunn started a Gofundme campaign, which raised enough money to cover the full amount of his court costs.
