An Atletico Madrid fan who was caught making racist 'monkey gestures' towards Manchester United fans has escaped a football ban. Daniel Del Saz Garcia, 31, was spotted by a steward taunting a group of Asian United supporters a during a Champions League match at Old Trafford.
Council worker Garcia was arrested and taken to custody when an officer saw a video being shared on Twitter which captured him performing the racist ‘monkey impression’. Appearing over videolink, Garcia, who lives in Madrid, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and was fined £325 at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
However, the Spaniard escaped a football banning order because he lives overseas and prosecutors said it would be difficult to enforce from the UK. Prosecuting, Tess Kenyon said that on March 15 this year, Garcia travelled from Spain to Manchester to watch the match at Old Trafford against the Reds.