Football club bans four children over player abuse

Port Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley was abused by Carlisle United fans at the Warwick Road End of Brunton Park

A football club has banned four children after an opposition goalkeeper was subjected to abuse.

Carlisle United issued an apology to Port Vale keeper Connor Ripley, who was the target of "disgusting" comments at a match on 1 January.

The club said it is now working with the police and the children's parents.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said the club was now reconsidering the age children are allowed to enter the stadium unaccompanied.

Mr Clibbens said: "We have had a disappointingly high number of fan behaviour issues this season and these need to stop.

"Too often we are faced with incidents which are damaging the reputation of the club and fans."

Currently, children under 14 years old are not allowed to enter Carlisle United's grounds, Brunton Park, without an adult.

The club says it is now reconsidering the minimum age limit.

Mr Clibbens said: "As well as four bans arising from the incident at the Port Vale game, we had another juvenile caught attempting to bring a flare into the Charlton game."

Ticket checks, CCTV coverage, searches and stewarding will all be increased for the rest of the season, the club said.

'Over the line'

Mr Ripley was abused by fans at the Warwick Road End of the grounds during the New Year's Day game.

The goalkeeper wrote on social media after the match: "I don't mind people saying stuff to me normally and I will always give a bit back, because that's who I am, but in all my years playing football I've never had anyone tell me 'go and hang yourself'."

Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson said: "There’s a level of banter to be had, I get that and it’s perfectly normal, but some of the things that were said to Connor Ripley went over the line of banter and just aren’t acceptable."