Banning order for Port Vale fan who stormed the pitch
A football fan who stormed the field and chased a referee during a Pompey match has been handed a five year banning order.
Ted Piolunowicz, 63, from Stoke-on-trent, raced onto the pitch during the Portsmouth FC clash with Port Vale at Vale Park, Burslem, on January 27.
He confronted referee Craig Hicks after he awarded Pompey a penalty.
Valiants midfielder Conor Grant was adjudged to have fouled Abu Kamara on the 85th minute, with Colby Bishop converting the spot-kick three minutes later and the Blues going on to win the match 1-0.
After spotting the disgruntled supporter, Mr Hicks ran away and headed down the tunnel.
Piolunowicz was restrained by stewards.
Staffordshire Police arrested and charged Piolunowicz with one count of going on to the playing area at a football match and one count of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence.
He originally pleaded not guilty to the charges at North Staffordshire Justice Centre in March.
Mr Piolunowicz appeared at the same court again on May 9.
The force said that the Port Vale fan is now banned from attending any Port Vale and international fixtures for the next five years after pleading guilty to going onto the playing area at a football match.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of £253.
Police Constable Tim Moss, dedicated football officer for Port Vale Football Club, said: “This outcome is the result of positive work being done by Port Vale Football
Club, Staffordshire Police and the courts to combat unacceptable behaviour.
“Staffordshire Police will continue to take positive action and work alongside football clubs in Staffordshire in order to proactively police football matches within the area.”
Port Vale FC were charged by the Football Association in February following Piolunowicz’s antics.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and the English Football League said in a joint statement that his actions were “mindless”.