Pretoria, South Africa: South Africa's police chief said on Tuesday that a British tabloid journalist has been arrested for allegedly "orchestrating" an incident in which an England fan entered the team's changing room in an attempt to undermine World Cup security.
According to National police commissioner Bheki Cele, police arrested Simon Wright a British journalist who works for the Sunday Mirror in the UK for defeating the ends of justice and flouting the provisions of the Immigration Act.
The journalist admitted to harbouring and interviewing Pavlos Joseph while police were searching for him.
At a security briefing in the South African capital Pretoria, Cele said Wright had allegedly booked hotel accommodation for Joseph using false details.
Wright also had a contract with Joseph for exclusive interviews for seven days "after he made news."
"Police have reason to believe that this incident was orchestrated and involved the co-operation of a number of individuals," Cele said.
Cele added that police expected to make more arrests in the case and that they strongly believe the motive was to put World Cup security in a bad light and possibly to profit from the act.
On June 18 Joseph had entered England's dressing room after they drew 0-0 with Algeria at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium.
Joseph gave an exclusive interview to the Sunday Mirror afterwards, claiming he was directed to the England dressing room when he asked a security guard where he could find a toilet.
Cele would not say if charges would be brought against the newspaper, but confirmed that Wright had been arrested on Monday night for "defeating the ends of justice" and "flouting the provisions of the Immigration Act."
A court in Cape Town on Friday adjourned for a second time the case against Joseph, who faces trespassing charges for his alleged intrusion.
His solicitor, Craig Webster, requested an adjournment until June 30 because the defence had yet to receive stadium closed circuit television footage.
According to National police commissioner Bheki Cele, police arrested Simon Wright a British journalist who works for the Sunday Mirror in the UK for defeating the ends of justice and flouting the provisions of the Immigration Act.
The journalist admitted to harbouring and interviewing Pavlos Joseph while police were searching for him.
Wright also had a contract with Joseph for exclusive interviews for seven days "after he made news."
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Cele added that police expected to make more arrests in the case and that they strongly believe the motive was to put World Cup security in a bad light and possibly to profit from the act.
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Joseph gave an exclusive interview to the Sunday Mirror afterwards, claiming he was directed to the England dressing room when he asked a security guard where he could find a toilet.
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A court in Cape Town on Friday adjourned for a second time the case against Joseph, who faces trespassing charges for his alleged intrusion.
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