News in 2006

13th September 2006

Football fan banned for racial abuse

A Burnley fan may never step foot in Turf Moor to watch his team play again after being found guilty of making "monkey gestures" to former England star Paul Ince.

George Jackson (44) had denied racially-aggravated harassment at the evening match against Wolves at Turf Moor in February but was found guilty after a trial at Burnley Magistrates' Court on Friday.

During the incident, season ticket holder Jackson was said to have also booed and sworn at the midfield star ­ the first black footballer to captain the full England side in 1993.

The court heard how Clarets' fans' emotions were raised after Paul Ince, who had put Wolves into the lead with a first-half goal, was first out of the dressing room to start the second half and was just feet away from Jackson.

However, the England ace did not complain about the incident ­ nor did anyone else in the ground that night ­ and it was on the evidence of a steward that Jackson, who does not work following an injury, was convicted.

Mr Stephen Parker (prosecuting) told the court steward Mr Mark Jackson singled out Jackson, who was sitting on the front row of the Jimmy McIlroy stand, wearing a coat with a fur-trimmed hood and a Clarets hat with pin badges. He was "disgusted" with his behaviour.

"He said he saw Jackson doing monkey impressions and moving his arms up and down in a monkey impersonation, which is a very well-known insult against black people," said Mr Parker.

The police were informed and Jackson, of Lyndhurst Road, was shortly escorted from his seat, swearing at officers ­ although he claimed his outburst followed an incident that had just taken place on the pitch ­ and had to be handcuffed.

Jackson told police he could not remember the details of the incident with Paul Ince, who was said to have been winking, sticking his tongue out and blowing kisses. However, he denied making racist gestures or being a racist, saying he had supported many black Clarets players over the years.

Saying Jackson got "carried away", Mr Parker went on: "People do get unreasonably excited about the game. You've just gone that little bit further."

"It's where I go to let my expressions out," said Jackson, with Mr Parkersuggesting that behaviour and language deemed acceptable on the terraces would not be tolerated on the streets.

Miss Jackson said she heard her father call Paul Ince "a Muppet" before the player walked off laughing and smiling while Mr Dallison said the player came down to the Clarets' fans "to get a reaction out of the crowd".

"He's been playing football for 20 years and he's a professional, he knows what he's doing," he said.

Mr David Leach (defending) said it was hard to believe that "reprehensible, disgusting and intolerable" behaviour of that kind had gone unnoticed by everyone but the steward.

Jackson was given a 12-month conditional discharge and a three-year order banning him from any town or city in the UK where Burnley or England are playing for three hours before and after any game. He was also ordered to pay £250 costs.

The chairman of the Bench Mr Alan Preston said the banning order was "the greatest punishment" Jackson could suffer as a Clarets fan.

Turf Moor's ground safety officer Mr Alex Wood said Mr Jackson would be sent a letter regarding his ban from the Turf and the situation would be reviewed in five years. "Burnley Football Club is a family club as we don't tolerate such behaviour," he said. "If people are prosecuted and convicted at court they will receive a life ban. We want to make it a family environment for people to enjoy and they should not have to put up with such conduct."