Man United fan, 33, who wore vile shirt mocking Hillsborough disaster at the FA Cup final, LAUGHS in court as he’s banned from football matches for four years after pleading guilty
- A Man United fan has received a four-year ban from attending football matches
- James White, 33, wore a football shirt mocking the Hillsborough disaster of 1989
- White pleaded guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court and laughed in court after receiving the verdict
A Manchester United supporter who wore a shirt disgustingly mocking the Hillsborough disaster at Wembley Stadium laughed in court after being handed a four-year ban on Monday.
Red Devils fan James White received the ban on attending any regulated football matches after pleading guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in north-west London.
White of Warwickshire, who smiled broadly as he arrived at the court and again when the verdict was handed down, wore a football shirt with an offensive reference to the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 in which 97 fans of United’s rivals Liverpool died, the court heard.
Alongside the ban, White was also fined £1,000 and told to pay a surcharge of £400 and £85 in costs.
The 33-year-old wore the offending jersey at the FA Cup final between United and rivals Manchester City on June 3, which City won 2-1. He was arrested inside Wembley after pictures of him wearing the shirt were posted on social media.
Manchester United fan James White, 33, laughed in court after being given a four-year ban from attending football matches after wearing a vile shirt mocking the Hillsborough disaster
White, of Warwickshire, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress
He was arrested after being pictured at Wembley for his side’s FA Cup final against Man City
The United away strip was printed with the words ‘not enough’ above the number 97, leading to widespread condemnation and outrage. Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.
English football’s governing body, the FA, said in a statement: ‘The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
‘We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator. Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.
‘We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators.’
A total of 22 people were arrested in relation to events around the final for various offences including assault, possession of drugs, affray and drunk and disorderly behaviour.
However, there has not yet been an arrest relating to when an object was thrown onto the field after United scored, though investigations continue.
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance added: ‘HSA was alerted to this despicable act on Twitter and we at Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance would like to thank The FA, Metropolitan Police and security staff at Wembley for their swift action and arrest.
‘We would also like to thank the messages of support that we have received from all genuine Manchester United fans, and fans from other clubs for their support.’
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