A Tottenham Hotspur fan has been banned from attending matches for three years and fined after making gestures mocking the Hillsborough tragedy during Spurs’ trip to Liverpool in April.
The 25-year-old was identified, arrested and charged with intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress, and has pleaded guilty.
Today he was banned from football matches and the vicinity of stadiums for three years, and given a 12-month community order, £200 compensation penalty and other fines.
'Clear message'
Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Paul White said: “This type of behaviour has no place in football.
“We will take action and identify those who commit hate crime in any form, and this includes unacceptable chanting which causes distress to others.
“Merseyside Police will work to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing a hate crime.
“I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others that we will be put you before the courts to be prosecuted.”
'Vile behaviour of a minority'
Douglas Mackay of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) added: “The CPS continues to work closely with the football authorities including the Premier League and the Football Association, police, clubs, and charities to look to stamp out all of the appalling and horrendous incidents of tragedy chanting and gesturing.
“We are sending a clear message that we call on so-called fans to stop this vile behaviour of a minority which has a terrible impact on the bereaved and communities. If they do not then they face the risk of being excluded from the game they claim to love.”
The Premier League fully supports the CPS in the sentencing of this individual. Football tragedy abuse has no place in the game.