Football Fan Banned After Racist Abuse

A FOOTBALL supporter who hurled racist abuse at black Premier League players was yesterday given a three year football banning order.

Howard Hobson, 56, of Louisa Street, Openshaw, is now banned from attending any designated football matches in England and Wales until February 2015.

"Over the next three years Hobson now has plenty of time to dwell on his disgusting outbursts that day and hopefully realise that those kinds of views play no part in a civilised society."

Hobson was handed the ban after pleading guilty at Trafford Magistrates Court to a racially aggravated public order offence. He was also fined £200.

On 31 January, during a Manchester United v Stoke City match at Old Trafford, a supporter sitting in the North Stand later told police that Hobson, who was sitting nearby, repeatedly abused Stoke's black players, yelling racist insults at them.

The fan reported the abuse to club stewards who identified Hobson to police officers inside the stadium. He was then arrested.

Superintendent Jim Liggett, based at Stretford, said: "Hobson's racist tirade was a shocking reminder that there remain a tiny minority of football supporters who still think it is acceptable to abuse players just because of the colour of their skin.

"I am grateful to the genuine football supporter who heard Hobson's abuse and quickly brought it to the attention of the stewards. It is fans like this who are the true supporters of the game; not people like Hobson.

"Over the next three years Hobson now has plenty of time to dwell on his disgusting outbursts that day and hopefully realise that those kinds of views play no part in a civilised society.

"I also hope this sends out a clear message to everyone - if you engage in any racist or otherwise offensive behaviour while at one of our football grounds, you will be singled out by the club and you will be banned from watching football."