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Johannesburg - A Spanish soccer fan with a previous record of pitch invasion was expected to appear in court for allegedly trying to grab the World Cup trophy at Sunday night's final at Soccer City.

The 34-year-old was expected to appear before a special World Cup Court at 16:00 on Monday, police spokesperson Colonel Tummi Shai said.

"He will be appearing on charges of trespassing and attempted theft of the globe (trophy)."

The man was arrested after he ran onto the field 10 minutes before the kick-off of the Spain-Holland final.

Shai said the man had a previous pitch invasion record for an incident that happened in London four years ago.

"He was wearing an anti-racism T-shirt bearing the words 'Jimmy jump against racism'."

'Jimmy Jump'

He breached security on the north side of the pitch and allegedly tried to grab the World Cup trophy on display near the players' entrance tunnel. An official guarding the trophy floored him with a punch and he was carried into the tunnel before being arrested.

The UK newspaper Telegraph's website reported the man was believed to be notorious Spanish pitch invader, known as "Jimmy Jump", who had a history of hijacking major events.

Jump, whose real name is Jaume Marquet Cot, ran onto the stage during Spain's performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Olso, the website reported.

Police spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza said the man would appear at the dedicated World Cup Court at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.

"He and six others will appear on similar charges for incidents that happened at the final," she said. The other suspects were apparently not linked to Jump.

Kweza could not say whether Jimmy was on FIFA's blacklist for soccer troublemakers.

"I am not 100% sure about that and cannot confirm that. It will form part and parcel of our investigation."