A so-called Manchester United fan has today been banned from football for wearing a shirt mocking the Hillsborough tragedy while attending the FA Cup Final on 3 June 2023.
James White, 33, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court of wearing a shirt intending to cause alarm. He received a four-year banning order, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said White was wearing a shirt with the intended purpose of insulting the victims and families of the Hillsborough tragedy.
White was pictured at the Wembley cup final which was shared on Twitter and this led to his arrest by the Metropolitan Police. Birkenhead News has chosen not to display the image on its website.
White was arrested and when questioned he said that the shirt was about his grandad who died at 97 and ‘Didn’t have enough kids.’
Kevin Christie of CPS London North said, “White was wearing an offensive shirt which mocked many people and communities that were affected by the Hillsborough tragedy.
“White showed no sympathy towards those people, nor did he care about the impact of his actions.
“The CPS will continue to work with the police in cases involving tragedy chanting, and people who behave in this way will be brought to justice and will be banned from matches.”
Douglas Mackay of the 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.”
This is the second prosecution the CPS has undertaken around the Hillsborough tragedy offending in a space of a week.
Image: Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Credit: GOOGLE
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