3 year ban for smoke bomb fan

Last updated : 26 April 2013 By Michael Morris

Report from South Wales Echo

Cardiff City fan gets football banning order after taking smoke bomb to game

The teenage fan was identified from photographs he posted on Facebook of the fixture at Peterborough United.

A football banning order has been imposed on a Cardiff City fan after an away fixture at Peterborough.

Joel David Roberts, 19, from Nantymoel, Bridgend, was given a three-year banning order after admitting being in a possession of a smoke bomb during the game on March 30.

Roberts was identified from photographs of the incident he posted on Facebook.

He was also fined £60, ordered to pay £85 costs, and is banned from attending any football matches in the UK which are regulated under the Football Spectators Act 1989.

He was also made the subject of a community order meaning he must complete 60 hours of unpaid work during the next 12 months.

Pc Christian Evans, from South Wales Police, who investigated the incident, said: “As a result of his irresponsible and disruptive behaviour, Joel Roberts will now miss out on the opportunity of seeing Cardiff City in the Premier League next season.”

During the first half of the game, three smoke bombs were activated in the away end causing plumes of smoke to drift across the stand, pitch and surrounding area.

Roberts was arrested on April 2 on suspicion of being in possession of a firework or flare at a sporting event and appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on April 22.

Pc Evans added: “The overwhelming majority of Cardiff City fans are well-behaved and passionate about their team and this kind of behaviour is unusual.

“However, as this case shows, whenever there is evidence of football-related disorder or violence we always pursue those responsible in order that appropriate action is taken.”