Football ban for fan who racially abused Kluivert

Justin Kluivert was celebrating scoring against Sheffield United in 2023 when Sky Sports cameras picked up the abuse

A football fan who racially abused Bournemouth player Justin Kluivert has been banned from attending matches for three years.

Gavin Dunn was seen on camera abusing the Dutch international as he celebrated scoring a goal against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in November 2023.

The Premier League tie was broadcast worldwide by Sky Sports, with the broadcaster alerting police when the 39-year-old supporter was spotted "using words that were considered to be racially offensive".

Dunn, of Thurnscoe, Barnsley, admitted racially aggravated harassment and was sentenced to a 12-month community order at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

Mark Hughes, prosecuting, said police used a lipreading expert to confirm that Dunn had shouted racial abuse, although it could not be heard on the TV recording.

He said Sky Sports reported the matter to police after "cameras picked up the defendant right at the front of the stand while the celebration was taking place using words that were considered to be racially offensive".

The footage from the 25 November match, which Bournemouth won 3-1, was not played to the court.

Jayne Revill, sentencing, said the community order would include 150 hours of unpaid work.

David Staniforth, defending, said his client was "not someone who is at all racist" and said his friends and colleagues agreed it was "completely out of character".

He added: "When he says he is sorry for what he said, it is heartfelt."

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