A Liverpool FC fan was handed a three-year Football Banning Order for shouting a racial slur during the Merseyside Derby last month.
Robert Owen, 54, of Fernbank Drive, Netherton was issued with the ban after he directed a racial slur at an Everton player during the match at Goodison Park on Wednesday, December 1.
A Merseyside Police officer heard the insult and arrested Owen on suspicion of a Section 5 Racially Aggravated Public Order offence.
READ MORE: Police called as couple's spa hotel stay erupts into angry row with staff
He was taken into custody for questioning and then charged after an investigation.
Owen appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court in Bootle on Friday, January 21 and was issued with a three-year Football Banning Order, stopping him from attending any football matches during that time.
He was also ordered to pay a £300 fine and court costs.
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill said: “Merseyside is an inclusive and welcoming place and, whatever football team you support, we stand united in saying that there is absolutely no place for hate anywhere on Merseyside.
“This result means that Owen will now have a criminal record, and the consequences of this for his future could prove to be significant.
“Let me be clear – to the tiny minority of fans who feel that racist slurs are acceptable, we will work with clubs to find those responsible and bring those responsible to justice.
“I would like to encourage any football fans with information on such incidents to speak with officers or stewards at the ground or call 101 so that offenders can be found and face the consequences of their actions.”
Anyone with information on hate crime is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
If for any reason you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
You can report an incident of discrimination in football - whether it took place online or at a grassroots, non-league or professional game – by downloading the Kick It Out app. You can also report any incidents via their online form here: https://www.kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
