AN ARSENAL football fan from Borehamwood has been handed a conditional discharge after admitting drinking at Barnet FC’s stadium.

Craig Payne, 27, of Howard Drive, was arrested during a friendly match between the Premiership club and Barnet at Underhill last July, after another fan reported he was drinking a can of Carling in the ground.

When police approached him he reportedly told them, “What’s the problem, I do this all the time at Arsenal”, before being arrested.

At Hendon Magistrates Court yesterday he admitted possession of intoxicating liquor in the viewing area of a sporting event, which can carry a fine or even prison sentence.

Magistrates took into account his guilty plea and previous good character and gave him a six-month conditional discharge.