A pitch invasion (known in North America as field storming or rushing the field) occurs when a person or a crowd of people spectating a sporting event run onto the competition area, usually to celebrate or protest an incident, or sometimes as a publicity stunt. Much of the time, they can result in criminal charges, fines or prison time, and sanctions against the club involved, especially if they cause a disruption in play; although they may sometimes be more welcomed if a large portion of the spectators invades the pitch simultaneously outside of playing time.