A man has been banned from attending all regulated matches in the UK for four years after pleading guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress by wearing a shirt that mocked the Hillsborough disaster.
James White, 33, had worn a shirt with the number 97 and the words “Not Enough” at the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City on 3 June.
Ninety-seven Liverpool supporters died in the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989. An inquest in 2016 ruled that the fans had been unlawfully killed in the crush at the stadium.
Willesden Magistrates’ Court district judge Mark Jabbitt also fined White £1,000 and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £400 and £85 in costs, saying: “It is hard to imagine a more … offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.”
We will continue to support firm action to eradicate mockery of Hillsborough and other football tragedies.#MUFC || #SeeRed
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 19, 2023
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.”
Actions against tragedy chanting
At last week’s Premier League AGM, clubs unanimously agreed to a series of new measures to address the unacceptable rise in anti-social behaviour involving football tragedy-related chanting, gesturing, graffiti, online abuse and other behaviours last season.
The action will focus on criminal prosecution, the regulatory environment, enforcement, online abuse, education and communications.
Following further football partner sign-off, full details will be publicly announced ahead of the season as part of the Love Football, Protect the Game campaign which was launched last year.