A talented teenage athlete, who waved a blue flare above his head during Cardiff City's final league match of the season at Crystal Palace, was conditionally discharged yesterday.
James Glaves, 18, of Village Farm, Bonvilston, who has competed regularly in the Welsh Schools' Championships and represented Barry and Vale was arrested after a steward pointed him out.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a firework at a sporting event, namely a smoke bomb at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park ground, on April 28, contrary to the Sporting Events Act.
Prosecutor Mr. Terry Curtis told Croydon Magistrates' Court: "A steward at Crystal Palace Football Club saw smoke emitting from the stand.
"The defendant was pointed out to the police. He was arrested and agreed he had a smoke bomb.
"He said he held it above his head during the football game and there was blue residue on his hands from holding the flare."
Glaves' lawyer Miss Sarah Anderson said: "It was the last match of the season and Cardiff City had the opportunity to get into the play-offs.
"He travelled on the supporters coach down to the game and did not bring a flare with him and there were no flares on the coach.
"After Cardiff City scored during the game and the supporters were celebrating he saw on the seat in flint of him a smoke pallet and picked it up and waved it around."
The court heard Glaves is currently studying maths, chemistry and physics and has won a university place to study mechanical engineering.
"Well, you will not be going to any premiership games next season," magistrate Mr. Tim Stevens told Glaves, referring to Cardiff City's play-off loss to West Ham.
Glaves (pictured) was conditionally discharged for twelve months and ordered to pay £85 costs.
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