Man admits punching off-duty policeman during football match

A Valletta man, Simon Azzopardi, 28, this morning admitted in court to injuring an off duty policeman, Clive Pace, at Ta' Qali stadium on Saturday during the Birkirkara-Valletta football match. The incident happened when Pace accidentally bumped into Azzopardi and the latter turned and punched him in the head. Pace required eight sutures to his right ear. Lawyer Roberto Montalto, appearing for PC Pace, said his client accepted the apology made by the accused and he was not pushing for an effective jail term. Azzopardi was placed on probation and banned from going to the stadium for eight months.