Eight Hamrun Spartans FC supporters were charged in court yesterday accused of throwing seats at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on Saturday evening during the match between Hamrun Spartans FC and Valletta FC.

Clint Bonavia, 28, Clayton Castaldi, both from Hamrun, Kevin Taliana 28, Carlo Ciscaldi, 29, both from Santa Venera, Mario Zammit, 40, Jason Camilleri, 23, both from Qormi, Simon Micallef, 32, from Naxxar and Keiston Theuma, 19, from Birkirkara pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

These included causing less than e1,165 (Lm500) in damages to the detriment of the Malta Football Association, to inciting an unlawful assembly of more than 10 people at the stadium in order to cause a riot and to disobey the law, disobeying and insulting the police and using obscene language in public.

Magistrate Edwina Grima granted them bail against a personal guarantee of e2,500 each and ordered them not to approach Hamrun Spartans FC or attend any football matches.

Two men have already been arraigned with similar charges on Monday, to which they pleaded guilty.

Police Inspectors Mario Tonna and Nezren Grixti prosecuted while lawyers Joseph Giglio, José Herrera and Chris Cardona appeared for the supporters.