A Leeds United fan who racially abused West Ham star Michail Antonio has been banned from matches for four years and was sentenced to an eight-week prison sentence suspended.
Gary Hawkins, 52, shouted the abuse at the Jamaican striker from his seat in Elland Road’s East Stand during a Premier League game on September 25 last year. Antonio had scored a 90th-minute winner as David Moyes' team came from behind to win 2-1.
Hawkins also threatened a nearby Leeds United fan who challenged him over the comments. He denied a racially-aggravated public order offence for the abuse of Antonio and a public order offence for the threats to the fellow fan.