The fan who walked into the England changing room and branded the team a disgrace was told today he would face trial on Friday.
Pavlos Joseph, 32, faces two counts of trespass. Today the Manchester United fan appeared before magistrates in the city. His lawyer asked for the case to be postponed until the end of the week.
Mr Joseph, of Crystal Palace, has been banned from future World Cup matches following his outburst at David Beckham. He ended up in the England changing rooms after being given the wrong directions to the lavatories at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town last Friday.
But today he was hailed a "national hero" by friends back home, who said his tirade after the draw with Algeria had given the team "the rallying cry they need to get to the final". Kristian Keates, 37, who works with him as a mortgage adviser, said: "He's a really good lad. He's so open and bubbly, we hope his words have given the England team the encouragement they need.
"We will hold a party in his honour when he gets back. We're so proud of him saying what the nation is feeling."
Chris Veale, 26, who runs a business in the same office in Upper Norwood, called him "polite and honest", adding: "He has England in the office sweepstake — maybe he was trying to increase his chances of winning."
