Ian Poveda, a winger who featured for Sheffield Wednesday during his career in English football, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on 23 September 2026 charged with a series of driving-related offences.
Poveda, 26, attended the hearing via video link and denied four counts of perverting the course of justice alongside two counts of fraud. Judge Robin Mairs set a trial date of 4 December 2028.
What are the charges?
The charges centre on allegations that Poveda failed to disclose a driving disqualification in order to obtain insurance, displayed false number plates, and conspired to obtain insurance in another person's name for a vehicle he intended to drive while disqualified. The alleged offences span a period between 8 July 2020 and 13 September 2023, with the fraud counts relating to incidents in 2023 and 2025.
Poveda appeared alongside two co-defendants: Adekunle Adeyemi, 36, who denies a count of perverting the course of justice, and Anthony Howe, 63, who denies a count of fraud. All three defendants are from London and were granted bail.
Poveda's football career
A former England youth international, Poveda has turned out for several clubs in England. His time at Sheffield Wednesday formed part of a career that also included spells at Leeds United and Sunderland, among others. He has since represented the Colombian national side and, at the time of the hearing, was playing for Atletico Nacional in Colombia's top division. According to the report, he featured for his current club as a substitute in their most recent match the previous Sunday.
Innocent until proven otherwise
It is important to stress that Poveda has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He, Adeyemi and Howe remain innocent in the eyes of the law unless and until a court finds otherwise. The trial is not scheduled to begin until December 2028, meaning the legal process has considerable time to run.
Sheffield Wednesday supporters who remember Poveda from his time at the club will be aware of the matter through the court proceedings, though it has no bearing on the club's current League One campaign.
Frequently asked
- What is Ian Poveda charged with?
- Poveda has been charged with four counts of perverting the course of justice and two counts of fraud, relating to alleged driving offences including failing to disclose a driving disqualification and displaying false number plates. He denies all charges.
- Did Ian Poveda play for Sheffield Wednesday?
- Yes. Poveda featured for Sheffield Wednesday during his career in English football, which also included spells at Leeds United and Sunderland.
- When is Ian Poveda's trial?
- Judge Robin Mairs set a trial date of 4 December 2028 at Leeds Crown Court.