Kian Holt, a Manchester City fan, was reduced to tears in court as a judge ruled he ‘went too far’ during a Premier League match with Liverpool
A Manchester City fan was reduced to tears in court as he was banned from attending football matches.
Kian Holt, 19, was in the away section of Anfield Road with other City fans when a steward saw him banging on a metal wall and shouting tragedy chants towards Liverpool fans, a court heard.
The incident occurred during City’s trip to Merseyside for their Premier League clash with the Reds on December 1. South Sefton Magistrates’ Court was told the steward reported the 19-year-old to police.
Kian was later arrested on suspicion of tragedy chanting. Ed Hanley, prosecuting, said when he was confronted by police and told the officer: “I don’t even know what that means.”
Mr Hanley continued: “In his interview, he accepted he shouted it out of anger as Manchester City were losing at half time.”
Kian pleaded guilty to using threatening/abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Alison Sharples, defending, read a statement from Holt which said: “I have never understood the impact my behaviour would have until it was explained to me.
“He went home to his grandfather and his grandfather sat him down to explain the tragedies that have occurred and the impact the actions have on fans.”
District Judge Paul Healey said: “The incident took place at a football match, a high profile match with thousands of people. People get emotional, people shout and scream, support their team. There are, however, limits as to what can be said.
“Your actions clearly referenced a football tragedy, people there will have lived through these football tragedies, they may have lost people close to them. There is limits on what is acceptable in that context, you accept you went too far and you have reflected on that.”
Kian has been handed a three-year Football Banning Order and he was told to pay a £200 fine, £85 prosecution cost and £80 victim fee, all to be paid within three months.