A 23-year-old man from Sheffield has been handed a three-year ban from all football matches in the UK and fined over £1,000 following an incident of verbal abuse directed at a teenage girl during a football match. The incident took place at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield on Thursday 4 May during the Huddersfield Town versus Sheffield United game.
The man used verbally threatening language of a sexual nature towards the teenage girl, who was present at the match with her family. Stewards promptly intervened and removed him from his seat. The matter was then reported to the police, leading to his arrest and subsequent charge for a public order offence.
In light of his actions, a Football Banning Order has been imposed, lasting three years. This means he is prohibited from attending any football match at any venue within the UK that falls under the regulations of the Football Spectators Act 1989.
PC Emma Wood of West Yorkshire Police said; “The behaviour and language used in this incident has no in place in football or wider society and left the teenage girl feeling distressed and upset.
“Anyone attending football matches should feel safe and have an enjoyable time without being subjected to verbal or physical abuse.”
