**Professional Footballer Identified in Ibiza Poolside Assault Incident**
A holiday in Ibiza turned violent last week when a brawl erupted at the Marco Polo Hotel in San Antonio, leaving a woman injured after being struck by a chair. The man alleged to have thrown the chair has now been identified as Kian Harratt, a 23-year-old striker for Oldham Athletic. Footage of the incident, which quickly circulated on social media platforms, shows Harratt launching a poolside chair towards a middle-aged woman who was attempting to break up the fight.
The unsettling scenes unfolded in broad daylight among British holidaymakers. Witnesses describe two groups clashing beside the hotel pool, culminating in chaos after Harratt’s involvement. In the widely-shared video, the chair can be seen striking the woman, causing her to fall to the ground in visible pain, clutching her face as bewildered onlookers react.
According to accounts from those present, including Brandon Watkins from Nuneaton, tensions ran high prior to the altercation. Watkins shared his perspective on Facebook, detailing how a group—allegedly including Harratt and friends—had been behaving disruptively around the pool, splashing water and throwing objects. When confronted, a heated confrontation ensued, resulting in chairs being used as weapons. Watkins described the scene as “slippery” around the pool, contributing to further mayhem, including another person falling into the water due to the thrown furniture.
In the wake of the incident, Harratt has drawn further attention to himself by reposting the video on his own TikTok account and uploading several photographs from his trip on the Spanish island. The move has sparked criticism, as some have questioned the appropriateness of appearing to make light of such a violent episode.
Harratt, originally from Pontefract, has enjoyed prominence in the footballing world, most recently scoring the decisive goal that ensured Oldham’s return to the Football League after their victory over Southend United in the National League play-off final at Wembley. However, his athletic achievements have often been overshadowed by previous brushes with the law and sporting authorities.
The striker has a history of legal troubles. Last year, he was fined £1,000 by police for poaching during his time on loan at Fleetwood Town from Huddersfield Town. Just the year before, he was also convicted for poaching offences at a farm in East Yorkshire, where he was penalised with an additional fine and legal costs. On top of his legal misdemeanours, Harratt received a four-month ban from professional football after the Football Association discovered he had placed close to 500 bets on football matches, in contravention of FA regulations, resulting in a substantial fine. Thirty-six of these wagers were linked to his own club, Huddersfield Town, though he maintains he was not part of the matchday squad for those particular fixtures.
Following the most recent revelations and the spread of incriminating video evidence, Oldham Athletic has been approached for a statement regarding the conduct of their player. At the time of writing, the club has not released an official comment.
The incident once again highlights the challenges sports clubs face regarding the off-field conduct of their athletes, particularly in the age of instant social media amplification. Questions are now being asked about both Harratt’s future at Oldham and the approaches taken by professional organisations to support and discipline players when their behaviour falls short of the standards expected.
Meanwhile, support has reportedly been offered to the woman injured during the fracas, though details of her current condition have not been made public. The local authorities in Ibiza are also expected to investigate the altercation as part of their efforts to maintain safety for tourists.
This episode not only places scrutiny on Harratt’s disciplinary record but also spotlights the broader responsibility carried by professional athletes, whose actions off the field are increasingly visible to the public eye. As the story continues to garner attention, the footballing community awaits further developments and the potential repercussions for both the player and his club.