Liverpool fan banned over homophobic slur against Chelsea fans
Paul Edwards, 50, was charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress
A Liverpool fan was issued with a three-year football banning order plus fines for shouting homophobic slurs at Chelsea supporters before a match at Anfield.
Paul Edwards, 50, from Hope Street in Liverpool city centre, was queuing on Anfield Road to enter the stadium for the Liverpool FC vs Chelsea Premier League game on January 21 this year, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Merseyside Police said an officer on duty heard him shout a homophobic slur in the direction of Chelsea football fans.
Edwards was charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and pleaded guilty at Sefton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (August 15).
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He was issued with the three-year banning order and fined £300 plus £120 in court costs.
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Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “This type of behaviour has no place in football. We will take action and identify those who commit hate crime in any form, and this includes unacceptable chanting which causes distress to others. Merseyside Police will work to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing a hate crime.“I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others that we will be put you before the courts to be prosecuted.”