A football supporter has been convicted for tragedy chanting during an FA Cup quarter final fixture.
Michael Bernard Avery (44) from Manchester, was charged with section 4a of the Public Order Act 1986 following the Manchester United vs Liverpool FC match at Old Trafford, in March.
Avery pleaded guilty to the offence yesterday at Salford Magistrates Court and received a three-year Football Banning Order (FBO) alongside costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £320 and a fine of £800, reduced due to an early guilty plea.
This was after police investigators carried out enquiries following a video of a man in the home section of the Old Trafford crowd making gestures, that was shared widely on social media.
Other arrests and charges were also made to other supporters relating to pyrotechnics.
Chief inspector Jamie Collins, said: “Following the understandable concern raised online following the video being shared of Avery’s actions, we undertook an investigation into this to ensure justice was brought.
“We are continuing to take a proactive action against those engaged in this type of behaviour, that is intent on causing distress to victims and supporters impacted by terrible football tragedies of the past. Any kind of gesture or comments in relation to tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and is totally unacceptable.”
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