A CHEF working for Birmingham City has appeared in court accused of hooliganism at an Aston Villa v Blues derby match.

Karl Dudley was among nine men who faced the city’s magistrates’ court yesterday charged with violent disorder at the Villa Park Premier League fixture on October 31.

A Birmingham City spokesman confirmed it employed Dudley, who was also understood to be head chef at The Cross wine bar in Moseley.

A spokeswoman for the Alcester Road wine bar confirmed it employed a man of the same name as its head chef.

The Blues spokesman said the club was investigating the matter internally.

“I can confirm he is employed as a chef by Birmingham City Football Club and that is all we can say at this moment,” he said.

“We are dealing with this matter internally and an investigation is ongoing.”

Dudley was understood to be responsible for serving food to club directors and executives but the spokesman could not confirm what area he worked in.