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Football fan fined and handed 5 year banning order for racist abuse at Muslim footballer, Arouna Kone

Football fan fined and handed 5 year banning order for racist abuse at Muslim footballer, Arouna Kone

Categories: Latest News

Wednesday June 01 2016

BBC News and ITV News report on the sentencing of a football fan who racially abused Muslim footballer Arouna Kone during the FA Cup fourth round match between Everton and Carlisle United in January.

Owen Newbury, 18, admitted racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment/alarm/distress by words contrary to Section 4a of the Public Order Act at Carlisle Magistrates Court this week.

The incident happened following Everton’s first goal in the fourth round match Brunton Park. Kone’s goal in the opening minutes of the game giving Everton the lead caused some of the players on the pitch to “react in the direction of the home crowd” after racist chanting was heard.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez spoke to Carlisle manager Keith Curle and referee Lee Mason shortly after the incident and an announcement over the tannoy system was made reminding fans that racism would not be tolerated.

Cumbria police posted a tweet on the force’s official Twitter account after the match stating: “Racism will not be tolerated in Cumbria. Anyone with information on any racist chanting at the @officialcufc game please report it to 101”.

Newbury was handed a community sentence of 140 hours unpaid community work and ordered to pay £145 in costs. He was also handed a 5 year football banning order.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Coughlan of Cumbria Police said in a statement: “I’d like to thank the public for their ongoing help and support with this investigation, specifically those who provided witness statements, as well as Carlisle United FC, Everton FC and the PFA.

“Cumbria Police had a dedicated investigation team for this incident which demonstrates that hate crime will not be tolerated in our county. I hope the prosecution and today’s subsequent sentencing sends a strong message to those who think this behaviour is acceptable – it is not at all acceptable at all to be victimised in this way and we take it very seriously.”

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