According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 52-year-old is being prosecuted for throwing a rabbit towards the pitch during the Milan derby on 11 March. The creature had its four legs tied together and the words "coniglio nerazzurro", meaning redand-black rabbit, were written on it when it was thrown from the terraces.

Stewards spotted the animal and, fearful for its safety, it was rushed to hospital where it recovered and has since been adopted.

Milan procurator MV di Vigevano is pushing for a light punishment of a fine for animal cruelty . . . which could be as much as 10,000 . . . for the rabbit-launcher. However, the offender could also be charged for throwing dangerous items at a sporting event. In Italy, this crime can garner up to four years in prison.

The San Siro is no stranger to bizarre instances of crowd trouble. In a famous incident in 2001, some Inter fans decided to launch a small moped from the upper tier of the famous stadium. Like the rabbit incident, nobody was killed.