June 19, (THEWILL) – A Manchester United fan, James White, has been fined £1,000 and banned from attending football matches in the UK for four years after wearing a replica shirt that mocked the Hillsborough disaster.
The 33-year-old wore a shirt with the number “97” and the words “Not Enough” during the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium earlier this month. The shirt was in reference to the 97 Liverpool fans, who tragically lost their lives in a crush during an FA Cup semifinal match in Sheffield back in April 1989. White admitted to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause distress or alarm.
The man was arrested after photographs of him wearing the offensive shirt were circulated online, leading to public outrage. During the sentencing at a court in Northwest London, Judge Mark Jabbitt condemned White’s actions: “It is hard to imagine a more offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.” In addition to the fine and ban, White was ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) emphasised its commitment to eradicating such behaviour from football events. Douglas Mackay, CPS national lead prosecutor for sport, stated that they are working closely with football authorities, police, and clubs to eliminate these “appalling and horrendous incidents of tragedy chanting and gesturing.” The CPS aims to send a strong message to so-called fans that such vile behaviour, which deeply affects the bereaved and communities, will not be tolerated. Mackay warned that those, who fail to comply, may face exclusion from the sport they claim to love.
This incident follows a recent case where a Tottenham Hotspur fan was banned from football for three years after making gestures mocking the Hillsborough tragedy at Liverpool’s ground in April. The EPL has vowed to take action after United and Leeds supporters engaged in sickening chants about the 1958 Munich air disaster and the deaths of two Leeds fans in Istanbul in 2000. These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter measures to ensure respectful behaviour and prevent the exploitation of tragedies during football matches.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
