Newcastle United fan, Shay Asher, has been banned from stadiums for three years after making a Nazi gesture at a match against Tottenham.
The 24 year old had previously admitted a charge of racially aggravated harassment during the Premier League game at St James’ Park in October.
The former Royal Engineer was fined £200 at Newcastle Magistrates Court when he admitted the offence in April.
He returned to the court with a beaming smile to oppose a Football Banning Order which the prosecution applied for to deter similar offensive acts at matches.

Magistrates agreed to impose the three-year order, which comes with conditions, following an hour-long hearing.
Brian Payne, prosecuting, said Northumbria Police wanted the public’s help in tracing a man photographed making a Nazi or fascist gesture at the match.
He said Spurs were known for having a “predominantly or very strongly Jewish fan base,” that Stamford Hill in North London was in the club’s catchment area and it was central to the country’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.
“This defendant took it upon himself to produce a Nazi salute,” Mr Payne said.
“He knew or must have known that there was a likelihood of there being a strong Jewish presence among the away supporters.
“It was a pretty deliberate and cynical action.”

Mr Payne said the purpose of banning orders was to prevent violence and disorder at games in the future.
John Wesencraft, defending, said Asher did not have a season ticket and the previous Newcastle United game he had attended was some years ago when they were a Championship side.
He said Asher had queued to buy a ticket for the Spurs game as it was the first to take place after the new Newcastle owners took over.
Asher’s actions did not lead to violence, Mr Wesencraft said, adding: “Newcastle United supporters were in particularly good cheer that day, even though they lost.”
He opposed the banning order, saying his client was unlikely to repeat the gesture given that it was a “moment of madness”, he does not have a season ticket, he had no previous convictions and was not a football hooligan.
Asher, of Gibside View, Winlaton, Gateshead, had received a medical discharge from the Royal Engineers as a result of a traumatic experience.
Chairman of the Bench Jane Barnes said the panel agreed to impose the banning order, which includes an order to surrender his passport should Asher apply for one, not to enter football grounds and to keep away from England matches.
She said it was being imposed to help prevent disorder at games in the future.
Northumbria Police statement
A man who made a racist gesture during a Newcastle United home game has been banned from every football stadium in the UK.
Shay Asher, 24, made the gesture in the direction of away supporters during the Magpies’ Premier League fixture with Tottenham at St James’ Park on October 17 last year.
After the incident was witnessed by other spectators, we launched an investigation alongside Newcastle United in a bid to identify the person involved.
Asher admitted a racially aggravated public order offence when he appeared before magistrates in Newcastle in April and was fined.
He returned to the same court yesterday for a further hearing where he was handed a football banning order that will run until 2025.
The order forbids Asher from attending any regulated football match in the UK, which includes Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and National League fixtures, as well as England home internationals.
The banning order also prevents him from travelling abroad to watch international friendlies, qualification matches and tournaments.
Hate crime of any kind within our communities will not be tolerated under any circumstances and we welcome the banning order handed down to Asher.
In the North East, we have some of the most knowledgeable and passionate supporters in the entire country and the overwhelming majority of those who attend matches behave impeccably.
However, when passions are high as was the case in this particular fixture, a small minority can let themselves down and ruin the spectacle for others. When that happens, it is important we use every tactic at our disposal to bring effective justice against them.
A big thanks to everybody who assisted throughout this investigation, especially the club who have worked closely with us to ensure this case was brought to court.
We’re proud of the fantastic relationship we have with football fans across the North East and will continue to work with all our clubs and supporter groups to ensure matches can be enjoyed by everyone.
Social media users reacted with the Newcastle fan banned from stadiums for making a Nazi gesture at last year’s Tottenham match…
@Loaf2112: Hope his season ticket is cancelled by the Club too
Katharine Anne Craggs: Hopefully for life
Edward Kane: Banning orders will often require attendance at a police station on a certain day and a specific time to verify that you’re not at X, Y or Z’s match…
Pete Swift: The question is why it has taken so long for that to be confirmed! After the hearing on April where his guilt was confirmed, it should’ve been immediate from then, rather than another 3 months down the line!
Ant Kitcher: This should be for every fan attending stadiums found guilty of racism, assault etc. A lifetime ban.
Nicholas Webb: What’s wrong with people
Andy Scott: The gift that keeps on giving … the great unwashed FTM
Paul Trainer: Can restrict him buying tickets and as part of a probation they could ask him go sign in at a police station during a game to show that he isn’t there
Anna Marie D’Amico: He will think twice next time (there’s hope anyway)
John Price: That will look good on his CV. Unemployable I suspect.
Jim Presswell: Utter 🛎end deserved that ban

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