A football fan who sent England manager Gareth Southgate a “disgraceful, unacceptable, racist rant” has escaped a prison sentence.
Brian Martin, 36 and with an address in Selby, emailed Southgate after England’s Nations League defeat to Hungary in June, criticising him for selecting black players to take penalties in last year’s Euros final and also the team for taking the knee.
During sentencing at York Magistrates' Court this morning, District Judge Adrian Lower said Mr Martin's offences fell “just short” of a custodial sentence. He imposed a two-year community order which included a £120 fine and 200 hours of unpaid work.