Three year football banning order issued to Liverpool fan following Merseyside Derby

A three year Football Banning Order has been issued to a Liverpool fan for shouting a racist slur during the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday 1 December 2021. 

Robert Owen, aged 54, of Fernbank Drive, Netherton, was handed the ban after it was reported that he directed a racist slur towards an Everton player during the game. 

An officer from Merseyside Police overheard the insult and arrested Owen on suspicion of a Section 5 Racially Aggravated Public Order offence. 

He was taken into custody for questioning and charged following an investigation. 

On Friday 21 January, Owen appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court in Bootle and was issued with a three year Football Banning Order, preventing him from attending any regulated football matches during that time.

He was also ordered to pay a £300 fine and court costs.

Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill said: “Merseyside is an inclusive and welcoming place and, whatever football team you support, we stand united in saying that there is absolutely no place for hate anywhere on Merseyside. 

“This result means that Owen will now have a criminal record, and the consequences of this for his future could prove to be significant. 

“Let me be clear – to the tiny minority of fans who feel that racist slurs are acceptable, we will work with clubs to find those responsible and bring those responsible to justice. 

“I would like to encourage any football fans with information on such incidents to speak with officers or stewards at the ground or call 101 so that offenders can be found and face the consequences of their actions.”

Anyone with information on hate crime is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.

If, for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Across Merseyside, we also have a number of third party reporting centres including fire stations, citizens advice bureaus and hospitals. A list of locations can be viewed here: merseyside-third-party-hate-crime-reporting-centres.pdf

You can report an incident of discrimination in football - whether it took place online or at a grassroots, non-league or professional game – by downloading the Kick It Out app. You can also report any incidents via their online form here: https://www.kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form.