Watch moment 'reckless' policeman smashes football fan with baton breaking his hand. A football fan filmed the moment a 'reckless' police officer smashed him with his baton, breaking the supporter's hand. The Birmingham City fan was hit outside Villa Park before Aston Villa’s Capital One Cup derby match. The 44-year-old was left unable to work for four months, the Birmingham Mail reported. The footage was handed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which concluded the officer involved had a case to answer for misconduct. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Carmichael, from West Midlands Police’s Professional Standards Department, said the use of force by the officer was ‘justified’ - but admitted the way the baton strike was executed was ‘reckless’. Officers approached the victim outside Villa Park. He said: “I reviewed the circumstances of the complaint, which was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and concluded that the officer in question did have a case to answer in respect of the way force was used. “The PC concerned defended the baton strike as reasonable, proportionate and necessary, as he feared for his safety and that of his colleagues. He used the level of force that he did to knock a light source from the complainant’s hand after being momentarily blinded in what was a volatile situation. Read more : Real Madrid fan who threw beer over fellow supporters banned from sports grounds and fined €3k. “However, although the use of force was justified, I believe the way the strike was executed was reckless and could have caused serious injury to the complainant or a passer-by. "As such, I have decided that the officer should re-train in the use of his personal safety equipment including baton strikes and general use of force.”. Police officer strikes Birmingham City fan with batonPolice admitted the officer was 'reckless'. He added: “We expect the highest standards of professionalism from our officers and we fully investigate all complaints, taking necessary action if they are upheld. “All complaints provide valuable opportunities to learn from errors and mistakes and we constantly review policies, procedures and officer training to improve our performance and the service we offer to the public.”. Read more : Serena Williams recovers from sickness after eating DOG FOOD to win at Italian Open. An IPCC spokesman said: “West Midlands Police has since decided the officer will receive management words of advice as well as retraining in first aid and the use of force.”. Police officer strikes Birmingham City fan with batonThe victim was unable to work for months. The victim had previously told the Mail he had done nothing wrong and was not arrested, charged or even spoken to by police. He said: “It was totally unprovoked and totally reckless. I could have a had a small child next to me. “None of the other officers had their batons raised and I was not a threat to anybody. I was simply filming the atmosphere as we queued to get into the stadium. “I have had to live on just £68 per week of statutory sick pay because I have been unable to return to work. I have effectively had to rely on friends and family to help keep my head above water. “I was doing absolutely nothing wrong.”.