By Tyne-Talk
December 11 2008

When Middlesbrough's Egyptian striker Mido complained of racist/islamaphobic chanting from the Newcastle United fans in August 2007 action didn't appear to be taken. It led to Mido this week accusing the Football Association of "inviting" it to happen again, after he was again racially abused during last weekend's Tyne-Tees derby.

He appealed for the FA to take further action and complete their investigation.

He told Egyptian TV station Al Hayat;

"They kept chanting disgusting words, racist words about Islam and unfortunately, this is the second time that the same fans have done this.

It happened again because after the first time the English FA did nothing. I considered this as an invitation from the English FA to the Newcastle supporters to repeat such shameful acts.

I can assure you that nothing is going to happen this time again. The English FA said that they will be investigating the issue and will make use of the latest technology to stop such racist abuse of players but I feel that nothing will happen.

I am asking the English FA to take serious action to stop such things. These chants are not directed at me as a person but it is directed at Islam."

Prior to the FA concluding their investigation they released a statement which read;

"Our position on these matters always is that any individuals who are identified and found guilty of discriminatory chanting, we will be calling for them to be banned."

Two fans were arrested for racist abuse after the recent game, Barry Norman Hutchinson and his 23 year old son faced Magistrates on Tuesday, whilst his son denied the charges, Barry Norman Hutchinson admitted the offence of "racist or obscene chanting" under the Football Offences Act 1991. Hutchinson received a £270 + £45 costs but was NOT given a banning order preventing him from attending games up and down the country.

Middlesbrough, the FA and the Kick It Out charity have expressed their concern at allowing people found guilty of such charges back into the grounds to continue doing as they pleased.

Boro's statement read;

"We are disappointed that a banning order has not been issued in this case. It makes it very difficult for football clubs to have a robust anti-racism policy without the support of the courts."

The FA re-iterated the point in their statement;

"The FA is disappointed that a football banning order was not imposed in this case. It is important to send out a strong message that racist and discriminatory chanting is totally unacceptable, and that anyone found guilty will face serious consequences."

Newcastle United FC vowed prior to the hearing to ban any fans found guilty of such offence. They are yet to comment on the outcome.

Whats Your View?

Should Club Ban Racist Fan?

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 11/12/2008 11:29

TyneTalk
11/12/2008 11:29

Should Club Ban Racist Fan?

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MissC
11/12/2008 11:30

Personally, I do not believe there is a place for people with this way of thinking in football. My belief is that he should have been given a banning order and i'm surprised that he wasnt' because in failing to do so the court is somewhat condoning his behaviour by allowing him to go back and repeat his actions.

Boro made a statement to ban racist fans so should we and all other clubs.

I assume this will all hit the headlines again in a few months when his son goes back to court for a trial.

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detox1978
11/12/2008 14:34

No rasism shouldn't be singled out above any other form of neandertholic behaviour.


Anyone charged with breaching the Football Offences Act is assesed on a case-by-case bases, why change it?

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Andy Cole
11/12/2008 16:54

He took the Guilty plea, he was always going to get a reduced sentence/fine for coming clean about it.

It's the way Law works.

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MissC
11/12/2008 17:41

Yeh I understand that I sit in court weekly for work.

He wasn't likely to get much more than a fine.

The ban however is potentially to be enforced by the club is that something you agree with?

Or are you saying he was given his punishment and that should be it the club should allow him to continue going.

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Andy Cole
11/12/2008 17:54

Nope he should be banned by the club.

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Chilango
11/12/2008 18:14

ive noticed this story floating around the sports news sites and growing in prominence but wasnt sure if anything was going to really come out of it.

always felt a bigger deal was being made out of it and Mido's comments to the media were exagerrated.

i was at the game and heard a large number of the crowd making bomber and mumbai references to Mido but nothing explicitly to Islam.

yes i would still class this as racism and in no way condone it but would not class this as a direct attack on islam as Mido suggests.

Nothing has come out what the 2 individuals have actually said but the punishment suggests it is not as sensational as boro and FA make out.
Therefore i do not see it fair to ban them from every stadium if the courts have assessed the incident and do not think it right to.

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Andy Cole
11/12/2008 18:50

Yeah but do the courts always make the right decisions?

I'm sure there have been court cases where you have disagreed with the sentence passed down.

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MissC
11/12/2008 18:58

Plenty I have disagreed with but hey ho

Can the FA ban them from all grounds? - Is there a legitimate ruling stating they can do that?

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i!
11/12/2008 20:31

Can't they just stick to Mido is a peado?


Get regular updates from one of TyneTalk's mintest posters, follow: [www.twitter.com] @adameverett92

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annie
11/12/2008 20:45

There's no place for racism in life never mind football.
Ban him for life.

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Andy Cole
11/12/2008 20:47

No idea, I haven't read the FA's rules and regulations etc.

Speaking of banning fans. Did you see the photos in the papers of the people wanted for homophobic abuse of Sol Campbell?

I swear that one of them has an NUFC home kit on.

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Gallowgate Luke
11/12/2008 21:56

Wasnt there a slogan a while back "Kick Racism out of football"?
Heres the perfect time to make an example.
The "fan" deserves all he gets

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MissC
11/12/2008 22:16

Gallowgate thats the Kick It Out Charity slogan I beleive, they commented prior to the court hearing on the case however when this article was published they were yet to speak about the outcome.

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detox1978
11/12/2008 23:27

Do the courts have the power pass a banning order?

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Chilango
12/12/2008 13:05

the courts have the power

a friend was banned from every stadium for 2yrs for falling asleep whilst drunk at boro (coincidence)
appealed but got no where

as i feel this was pretty harsh for what seems a harmless and certainly not offensive offence

its also why i believe the recent "fan" musnt have committed as severe a crime as its made out

although other here have pointed out courts dont always make the right decisions so who knows

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detox1978
12/12/2008 16:28

If the courts can pass banning orders then the clubs shouldn't pass a second judgement.

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Omar_786
15/12/2008 04:21

should have been banned


He's The Next Ronaldo (Sir Bob R.I.P)

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