SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: England dressing room invader in court

Record ID: 452680

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: England dressing room invader in court
  • Date: 22nd June 2010
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN; SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 21, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF CAPE TOWN MAGISTRATE COURT COURT SIGN MEDIA WINDOW MEDIA SIGN READING: "DEDICATED COURT FOR 2010 WORLD CUP" MEDIA WAITING FOR THE ENGLISH FAN TO LEAVE COURT (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FAN PAVLOS JOSEPH SAYING: "Like I said, at this stage no comment until things are cleared up here, I am not willing to talk to anyone." REPORTER ASKING: "What is happening now?" (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FAN PAVLOS JOSEPH SAYING: "No comment." REPORTER ASKING: "Are you hoping it will all be cleared up today?" (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FAN PAVLOS JOSEPH SAYING: "All I can say is that I want it cleared up as quickly as possible, thank you very much, can we move on." JOSEPH WALKING AWAY FOLLOWED BY THE MEDIA JOSEPH WALKING PAST CAMERAS
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEFG71CDM4D9FJZE4US0LO5B9O
  • Story Text: The England fan who was arrested for trespassing after he walked into the players' dressing room following a goalless World Cup draw with Algeria, appeared at the Cape Town Magistrate court on Monday.
    Pavlos Joseph, 32, was arrested on Sunday and released on 500 rand (45 pound) bail.
    His trial has started and he has been banned from attending any more World Cup matches.
    The man slipped into the England players' dressing room on Friday, raising concerns about lax security during the month-long tournament.
    Joseph refused to speak to the media following his court appearance, saying he want things to be cleared up as soon as possible.
    "At this stage no comment until things are cleared up here, I am not willing to talk to anyone" said Joseph outside court.
    Police have taken over security at Cape Town's Green Point stadium following a wage dispute between stewards and the contracted security firm.
    Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper printed an interview with a man who said he was Joseph on Sunday.
    The South London resident claimed to have been looking for the toilet when he stumbled in on the players.
    "You are a disgrace," Joseph told them, according to his account in the Sunday Mirror.
    But England's David Beckham has said the fan did not comment on the team's performance and just said "hello" before walking out.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register