Manchester United fan banned from stadiums for 4 years after mocking Hillsborough tragedy

a fan of Manchester United was banned from entering football stadiums for having used, during the final of the FA Cupa shirt with a phrase that made fun of the Hillsborough tragedy.

The fan had been detained after the game, on June 3, in which United were defeated by manchester city 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

The shirt had the number 97, in allusion to the number of Liverpool fans – Manchester United’s historic rival – who died trampled to death at Hillsborough stadium in 1989, in the greatest tragedy ever to occur in English football. Next to the number, the phrase “Not enough” (“Insuficient”, in free translation) was read.

Photos of that fan and his shirt were quickly shared on social networks and reported to the police, who were able to locate the man: he is James White, 33 years old.

At first, White told the police that the shirt was a tribute to his grandfather, who died at the age of 97, and that the phrase referred to the fact that he did not have enough children.

At Willesden court, however, he pleaded guilty to having used “a threatening and offensive inscription likely to constitute an attack or to provoke fear and distress”.

James White will not be able to attend any official football game for four years and will have to pay 1,500 pounds (R$ 9,200 at current prices) as a fine and court costs.

See too:

Discover Gazeta Esportiva’s YouTube channel

White had previously been convicted on multiple occasions for non-football-related offenses. According to the British agency SHOVELhe mocked the reading of the verdict.

Last week, a Tottenham fan was also banned from attending stadiums for three years. The decision came after he made mocking gestures about the Hillsborough tragedy during a match at Anfield, home of the Liverpoolon the 30th of April.