Port Vale fan pleads not guilty to storming pitch during Portsmouth FC match and threatening referee
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A football fan accused of running on to the pitch and using threatening behaviour towards a referee has pleaded not guilty.
Ted Piolunowicz, 63, allegedly stormed the field during Portsmouth FC's clash with Port Vale at Vale Park in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. He is accused of confronting referee Craig Hicks during the match on January 27.
The official awarded a penalty for the Blues after Valiants midfielder Conor Grant was adjudged to have fouled Abu Kamara on the 85th minute. Colby Bishop converted the spot-kick three minutes later and Pompey went on to win 1-0.
Piolunowicz was arrested and charged by Staffordshire Police with one count of going on to the playing area at a football match and one of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence.
The 63-year-old, of Newshaw Walk in Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday to plead not guilty to both charges. He is next due to appear at the same court for a case management hearing on May 9 and is on bail, with one condition not to attend any football matches in the UK.