Fans have took to criticise the length of a ban for a Tottenham supporter who mocked the Hillsborough disaster earlier this year.
Kieron Darlow, 25, of Node Way Gardens in Welwyn, attended the Premier League fixture at Anfield on the 30th of April 2023, which Spurs lost 4-3 thanks to a late winner from Diogo Jota.
Sefton Magistrates Court was told Darlow was based in the Lower Anfield Road stand when he made gestures mocking the Hillsborough disaster, which sadly saw 97 Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed. This caused alarm and distress to people attending the game, police said.
Darlow’s actions were reported by the officers at that game and he was subsequently arrested and charged for intentionally causing alarm, harassment or distress.
Darlow entered a guilty plea at Sefton Magistrate Court on May 17th. He was brought back to court on Tuesday, June 13th, and received a three-year ban from football, a community order of 12 months, compensation penalties and fines.
PREMIER LEAGUE STATEMENT:
A Tottenham Hotspur fan has been banned from attending matches for three years and fined after making gestures mocking the Hillsborough tragedy during Spurs’ trip to Liverpool in April.
The 25-year-old was identified, arrested and charged with intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress, and has pleaded guilty.
Today he was banned from football matches and the vicinity of stadiums for three years, and given a 12-month community order, £200 compensation penalty and other fines.
Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Paul White said: “This type of behaviour has no place in football.
“We will take action and identify those who commit hate crime in any form, and this includes unacceptable chanting which causes distress to others.
“Merseyside Police will work to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing a hate crime.
“I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others that we will be put you before the courts to be prosecuted.”
‘Douglas Mackay of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) added: “The CPS continues to work closely with the football authorities including the Premier League and the Football Association, police, clubs, and charities to look to stamp out all of the appalling and horrendous incidents of tragedy chanting and gesturing.
“We are sending a clear message that we call on so-called fans to stop this vile behaviour of a minority which has a terrible impact on the bereaved and communities. If they do not then they face the risk of being excluded from the game they claim to love.”
The Premier League fully supports the CPS in the sentencing of this individual. Football tragedy abuse has no place in the game.
A Tottenham Hotspur fan has been banned from attending matches for three years and fined after mocking the Hillsborough tragedy during Spurs’ trip to Liverpool in April.
Football tragedy abuse has no place in the game.
➡️ https://t.co/hMp0wyw1uB pic.twitter.com/dQCESr2me0
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 13, 2023
FOOTBALL BAN | A man has been fined and issued with a three-year football banning order for mocking the Hillsborough tragedy during a match at Anfield earlier this year.
Kieron Darlow, 25, of Node Way Gardens in Welwyn, appeared in court today.
More:https://t.co/WLiyeVAzle pic.twitter.com/WrTWllnPM5
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) June 13, 2023
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…
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 13, 2023
As mentioned, fans criticise the length of the ban for a Tottenham supporter who mocked the Hillsborough disaster…
@TKbytesback: Should be life ban
@garethkelly82: 3 years? Should be banned for life! From a fellow Spurs fan
@FHerbert2013: He should also be made to sit in a controlled environment (on a regular basis) face to face with some of the relatives of those who died until he fully realizes their pain (restorative justice).
@Coys_Rusty: Should never be allowed in another game again
@SpursViews_: Not long enough.
@TonyTown67: So why not ban him for life?
@Silverfang2021: 3 years? Wow. Is that all.
@jo83871358: I’m a long life spurs fan & although a step in the right direction but should be a life ban.. disgusting behaviour!! No room for this in football or anywhere else. 3 yrs.. joke
@mcfcstu27: Should be banned for life. On another note nice to see that Merseyside police actually can find culprits 🤔
@KevinGillbanks: Not appalled enough for a lifetime banning order? Seems to me that this generic statement is just part of a process the club has been made to follow and not a deterent for the future.
@GrahamOhare: Should’ve been a lifetime ban
@EthanMuggers: What an embarrassment to the fans. Such a sad day and be ashamed of his actions and should be a lot longer. What makes it even worse is one of the victims was a Tottenham fan
@StaceOfSpadesx: Anyone who mocks the Hillsborough disaster, or any football related tragedy should get life-long bans, imo. Good on the club for banning him, though. Nobody deserves to go to a game of football and never go home.
@JTBennett182: Should be banned for life.
@tsrbys: So he can mock it again in 3 years time
@DanielJFrancis: Should be lifetime, all grounds.
@nathanhegg: Should be for life really, not 3 years.
@joemartin66: 3 years isn’t enough, the bastard should face a lifetime ban!
@shanejosephluke: Well played THFC – should be a life ban though.
@thfckieran22: Should be life but good job
@ctsmclovinya: Needs to be banned for life.
@JohnHall1985: Three years? Should be a lifetime ban.
@BrettHWalkeris1: How is this not a lifetime ban
@SteveD_CCGames: Why only 3 years?
@faccinim: Honestly don’t think three years is enough.
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