A 44 year old man from Manchester has been given a three-year ban and a total fine of £1,205 after a video caught him tragedy chanting at Old Trafford
Michael Avery was caught on video holding his hand against his face mimicking a football disaster during the FA Cup Quarter-Final fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on Sunday 17 March
He was charged with Section 4a of the Public Order Act 1986 and pleaded guilty to the offence today at Salford Magistrates Court and received a three-year Football Banning Order (FBO) alongside costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £320 and a fine of £800, reduced due to an early guilty plea.
Chief Inspector Jamie Collins, of our Specialist Operations Branch, said: “Following the understandable concern raised online following the video being shared of Avery’s actions, we undertook an investigation into this to ensure justice was brought.
“We are continuing to take a proactive action against those engaged in this type of behaviour, that is intent on causing distress to victims and supporters impacted by terrible football tragedies of the past. Any kind of gesture or comments in relation to tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and is totally unacceptable.”
