Ageing fan handed lengthy ban for racist 'monkey gestures' toward Leeds United players at Elland Road
A 68-year-old man has been handed a football ban after admitting to making racist gestures towards a Leeds United player during a match at Elland Road.
Sunderland supporter Steven Patterson, of Stranton Street in Bishop Auckland, admitted racially-aggravated harassment at Leeds Magistrates Court on October 17.
The charges relate to a Championship match between Leeds United and Sunderland on February 17 of this year, where the then 67-year-old was seen making monkey gestures towards players from the away end.
Prosecuting the case, Kaye Barnard said emotions were “running high” at the end of the game after Leeds scored the winner minutes into stoppage time.
Court heard that Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu was celebrating with teammates before making his way to the tunnel, where he noticed Patterson making the monkey gestures with his arms towards min and his teammate Largie Ramazani.
The incident was reported to the referee, who subsequently reported it to the police. Weeks later, Patterson was arrested after CCTV images were circulated to help identify him.
Appearing before County and Durham Magistrates yesterday (November 26), Patterson was banned from attending football matches for three years. He was also fined £346 with a cost of £85 and a surcharge of £138.