Tottenham fan receives three-year ban for mocking Hillsborough catastrophe
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Tottenham fan has been handed a three-year ban from soccer matches after being discovered responsible of mocking the Hillsborough catastrophe.
Kieron Darlow, 25, from Welwyn, made gestures in direction of Liverpool followers at Spurs’ Anfield match on April 30 “that was a reference to the Hillsborough disaster”.
Andrew Page, of CPS Mersey Cheshire, stated: “Darlow admitted making a gesture towards the Liverpool fans and that this was a reference to the Hillsborough disaster.
“He admitted that this was to recommend that followers with out tickets had pushed ahead within the tragedy and had been partly guilty for the crush that led to so many deaths.
“He accepted at court that it was his intention that Liverpool fans should see this and that it would cause them harassment, alarm and distress. He admitted that his behaviour was unacceptable and regrets his actions.
“Darlow knew what he was doing and it was carried out understanding what an affect the Hillsborough tragedy had on Liverpool followers and the town of Liverpool however he did it anyway. This type of behaviour will not be solely morally unacceptable, it’s legal.
“We hope this prosecution sends a message out to all football fans that their behaviour at football games is important and that, if it crosses into criminality, they will be met with the full force of the law.”
A Tottenham assertion learn: “The Club can confirm that one of its supporters has been banned from attending matches for three years after being found guilty of mocking the Hillsborough disaster during our trip to Liverpool in April.
“We are appalled by this behaviour and have cooperated fully with the Police to identify the individual, who will also be handed an immediate stadium ban.”
Ninety-seven Liverpool followers died because of a crush at Hillsborough in 1989. An inquest jury dominated in 2016 that they have been unlawfully killed amid a variety of police errors.
Additional reporting by Press Association.