A three-year ban from Everton football matches has been imposed on a supporter who yelled racist epithets at Mohamed Salah.
Joel Barwise, 26, acknowledged yelling racial epithets during the Merseyside derby at Anfield in October and making fun of the Heysel stadium catastrophe.
Barwise admitted to racially or religiously motivated harassment at Sefton Magistrates’ Court, causing alarm or distress by words or writing. As a result, he was fined £500 and subject to a ban.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Barwise taunted home fans about the Heysel stadium disaster and was heard yelling obscenities when Salah’s name was announced prior to the match.
Stewards reportedly noticed Barwise, and Merseyside Police apprehended him after recognizing him on CCTV.
When asked why he had done it, Barwise—who had earlier admitted to being a victim of mistaken identity—answered, “Because I’m an idiot.”
“Joel Barwise no doubt thinks of himself as a loyal Everton fan, but his actions bring shame to his club,” stated senior crown prosecutor Angela Conlan.
“When a prominent Liverpool player’s name was revealed, he yelled racist epithets and made light of a sad football mishap. This kind of behavior has no place in football, and the majority of Everton supporters would undoubtedly want to distance themselves from him and his actions from that day.
“He has a criminal record, a fine, and a three-year ban from supporting his team or any other UK team due to his despicable actions.
“The Crown Prosecution Service hopes this sends out a message to all football spectators that the law applies in a football ground as it does anywhere else and this sort of behaviour is criminal.”
Leave a Reply