Football fan jailed for racist abuse at Forest Green Rovers match

Ryan Ferguson has been jailed for nine months

A man who was banned from watching football games has been jailed for nine months after racially abusing a player.

Ryan Ferguson, 23, shouted racist abuse at Forest Green Rovers player Jordan Garrick on 18 April.

Ferguson, of Barrberry Crescent, Liverpool, was jailed at Gloucester Crown Court after admitting racially aggravated harassment.

He was also sentenced for breaching a football banning order eight times, and has received a new ban of six years.

Ferguson, who is a Tranmere Rovers fan, had attended a League One between Forest Green Rovers and Fleetwood Town.

He standing by himself just yards away from the pitch when he started hurling racist abuse at Mr Garrick.

Several Forest Green Rovers players reacted to the abuse and told the referee of Ferguson's comments.

Judge Mr Justice Lowe told Ferguson at sentencing: "Jordan Garrick is a skilful footballer and works hard to entertain. Your language is shocking.

"You should be ashamed and you represent the ongoing racial problem."

Clarification 25th June 2024: This article has been amended to clarify that Ferguson was not a Forest Green Rovers fan.

The incident took place during a Forest Green Rovers v Fleetwood match at The New Lawn

Ferguson was arrested by police officers after being escorted out of Rovers' New Lawn stadium by security.

The court heard he gave a false name and a false address when spoken to by officers and claimed he did not have any form of identification on him.

He was jailed for three offences including resisting a police constable at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday.

Douglas Mackay, Crown Prosecution Service sports national lead prosecutor, said: "Ferguson's actions were vile and something that none of us should ever experience at a football match - whether that be fans, staff, police or indeed the players themselves.

"The sentence that has been passed today should serve as a wake-up call to any fans who think it might be acceptable to break the law during matches."

Mr Justice Lowe added: "Ferguson is an immature individual, who has not learnt how to treat people equally" and "appears to find fulfilment at football matches though violence, abuse and offensive behaviour".

"He has paid little attention to the football banning order," the judged added.