Murder charge over football death

A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder after an amateur footballer died following a fight with opposing players at the end of a game in west London.

Stephen Ritchie, 43, died of head injuries after he became involved in a brawl at the final whistle of the match on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Mr Ritchie, of Brentford, west London, was pronounced dead at the scene at Little Harlington Playing Fields.

A second man, also 20, has been charged with causing actual bodily harm (ABH).

Darren Forwood, of Frays Avenue, West Drayton, has been charged with murder and Brandon Thompson, of Widmore Road, Hillingdon, is charged with ABH.

Family support

Both will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said emergency services were called to the pitch in Sipson Lane at about 1220 BST.

Mr Ritchie, who played for Old Greenfordians, was pronounced dead at the scene about 45 minutes later. A post mortem examination on Monday morning gave the cause of death as a head injury.

Mr Ritchie died after his team won an away match 4-3 against Kingshill Town in the Hayes and District Sunday Football League Division One.

Ron Dunning, chairman of the league, said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased player, his friends and his colleagues at the Old Greenfordians Football Club at this terrible time.

"The league will provide whatever practical support and assistance the family needs although we recognise that, at the present time, they will wish to mourn their loss in private."