Racist social media post leads to football banning order for Burnley fan
A Burnley season ticket holder was given a football banning order today at Blackburn Magistrates' Court for three years after admitting posting a racist comment on a social media post.
John Southwell, 64, told officers in his police interview that he couldn’t remember if he had posted the offensive comment on a post featuring a Chelsea football player.
He went on to plead guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on 5 August 2024.
On 8 October 2024, Southwell was given a £345 fine, uplifted due to the hate element and a three year football banning order was imposed.
John Moran, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “This case should be a stark reminder to so-called keyboard warriors: online actions have consequences.
“This type of social media offending will not be tolerated. Those who peddle hate, on or off the pitch, will be brought to justice.
“We work closely with the football authorities including the Premier League and the Football Association, police, clubs, and charities to stamp out incidents of discriminatory chanting.
“We are sending a clear message that there is no place for this vile behaviour and so-called fans who engage in it face the risk of being excluded from the game they claim to love.”
Notes to editors
- John Southwell (DOB 24/03/1960) is from Barnoldswick in Lancashire.
- Southwell pleaded guilty to posting a grossly offensive message via a public communication network contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003.