A father of three was found dead after being jailed for running onto the pitch and beating England star Jack Grealish.
In March 2019, Birmingham City fan Paul Mitchell was dragged off the pitch after he attacked Grealish, who played for Aston Villa, at St Andrew's Stadium.
The 32-year-old was found at a property in Birmingham earlier this week where he was jailed for 14 weeks but released after serving four weeks, The Sun reported.
Mr Mitchell's cousin, Lucy Mitchell, told the paper: "Paul was very fond of his three children. No matter what, he always had a smile on his face.
"He had the kindest heart. Sadly, he will be missed by many. He is a very popular person. Without him, the situation would not be the same.
She also said he looked like a "happy normal person" when others saw him on Saturday. His mother, Debbie Drew, told The Sun: "Our family loved him so much. ”
His friend Ash Herbert wrote on Facebook: "What a coward. We have some crazy childhood memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Rest in peace, one of my best old friends, man... Until we meet again.
Mr Mitchell was jailed for another 12 weeks last September for violating a decade-long football ban while watching Birmingham City vs West Bromwich Albion and running onto the track to celebrate the goal.
When Mr Mitchell was jailed in Birmingham Magistrates' Court shortly after the 2019 Grealish attack, it was revealed that his pregnant wife and two-year-old had fled the home after "death threats" were made against him.
Mr Mitchell, a season ticket holder and fan of Birmingham for 20 years, made the attack "jokingly" because he thought the footballer was "a KN*B", the court was told at the time.
The court also heard Mr Mitchell's defence lawyer, saying he had "disgraced his family and the club he supported as a child" and that the attack was "completely out of place".
Friends also revealed that Mitchell had only recently run a workers' club and that he received "death threats" for his actions, including that his home would be attacked.
Grealish said in a statement at the time that he was "shocked and terrified" that Mitchell was able to launch an offensive and feared the situation "could be worse." 'If he has a weapon.
Birmingham City issued a statement at the time saying the club "welcomed" the verdict, adding: "What he has done is unacceptable and has no place in football." ”