Skip to content

Fan charged over Port Vale referee incident

Vanessa PearceBBC News, West Midlands
PA Media Security guards holding back the fanPA Media
Play was briefly stopped after the fan ran on the Port Vale pitch

A man has been charged after a fan invaded the pitch and ran towards the referee during a football match.

Play was halted after the match official had to leave the field during Port Vale's home game against Portsmouth on Saturday.

Ted Piolunowicz, from Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with going on to the playing area at a football match.

The 62-year-old is also charged with using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear or violence.

Port Vale have condemned the incident, which came after the referee had awarded a late penalty to Portsmouth.

Staffordshire Police said Mr Piolunowicz had been given conditional police bail and would appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 7 March.

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk