Everton fan jailed over online racist abuse of fellow supporter

Shaun Tuck has also been handed a six-year football banning order

A football fan who posted racist abuse about a fellow supporter has been jailed for 15 weeks.

Shaun Tuck, 37, published the abuse in the comments section of Everton's official Facebook page in August 2023.

He was found guilty of malicious communication at South Sefton Magistrates' Court.

Tuck, of Liverpool, was also handed a six-year football banning order and must pay a £155 victim surcharge.

'Zero-tolerance policy'

Det Ch Insp Alan Nuttall, from Merseyside Police, said: "Tuck clearly thought that he could post disgusting racist comments online and it wouldn't be investigated by the police.

"Sadly for him, this is not the case."

He added that Tuck's views were "not welcome here in Merseyside, and they do not represent the overwhelming majority of football fans".

Tuck will not be able to attend Everton matches home or away or any other football fixtures for six years.

Dave Lewis, head of security and stadium safety officer at Everton, said: "We have a clear and well-publicised zero-tolerance policy on all forms of discrimination.

"The club will not hesitate to act and deal with any reported instances of hate crime or anti-social behaviour."