A football fan is facing a day in court after allegedly urinating into the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Alex Smithies’s water bottle and throwing it back on to the pitch.

The Middlesbrough supporter could now be facing a ban from watching his team, following the incident during Boro’s 3-0 win at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Video shared on social media showed a man throw a bottle on to the pitch behind the QPR goal and fans have already indicated the container may have been taken earlier by a pitch invader.

Cleveland Police’s dedicated football officer said on Twitter: “I’ve been asked by a few followers and can confirm the so-called Boro fan who urinated in the QPR goalie bottle was arrested by colleagues from MPSFootballUnit. Disgusting act and I will do all I can to remove him from attending Boro games again.”

The Metropolitan Police said a man was charged with throwing an item on to the pitch and will face court.

The force’s football unit tweeted: “After an investigation MPSFootballUnit can confirm that the male arrested at the QPRFC v Boro game yesterday has been charged with throwing an item on to the pitch.

“The male has been bailed and will appear at court next month.”

Last month, a Sunderland fan was ejected from the Stadium of Light after he was thought to have defecated on his seat – although police later said he was merely drunk.