A Bolton Wanderers supporter has been handed a three-year football banning order for unleashed a tirade of racist abuse against two of his own players and manager Dougie Freedman.
Philip John Ward, 32, of Tintern Avenue, Tyldesley, was found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence during the Bolton’s 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley on 11 February 2014.
Ward was spotted by a plain clothes steward shouting racist abuse at two players in relation to their ethnicity. He also directed abuse at Scot Freedman in relation to his nationality.
He was issued with a fine and costs and banned from attending games at the Macron Stadium or any other match.
Police Constable Rob Smith, from GMP’s Force Events Section, said: “Philip Ward and people of his ilk – whose bigot mind-sets are out of place and touch with decent members of our society – have no place and are not welcome in any walk of modern life, including sporting events.
“The type of vile nonsense spouted by Taylor is offensive to most but is especially unpalatable to those parents who were nearby with their young children.
“To vehemently target the manager and players of a team you are supposed to be supporting is also indicative of the intolerable person he is.”
Police Constable Smith also stressed that GMP would continue to target racist abuse along with football clubs and governing bodies.
“We want to work with clubs and the FA and other organisations to stamp out such behaviour and would encourage anyone who experiences or hears anyone committing these types of offences to report it to police,” he said.
In a statement, the club said: “BWFC will not condone such behaviour from any of our supporters and we will work with police as necessary as on this occasion.”
Image courtesy of Mikey with thanks
