A football fan who shouted racist abuse about Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and mocked the Heysel stadium disaster has been banned from matches.
Joel Barwise shouted when Salah’s name was announced at Anfield on 21 October before the Merseyside derby.
Everton fan Barwise also made pushing gestures to taunt fans about Heysel, in which 39 fans died in a crush before the 1985 European Cup final.
He was handed a three-year banning order at Sefton Magistrates’ Court.
Barwise, of Bentham Drive in Childwall, Liverpool, was also fined £500.
Merseyside Police identified him from CCTV and he was later arrested.
The CPS said he initially claimed it was a case of mistaken identity before later admitting he was responsible.
Asked why he had done it, Barwise said: “Because I’m an idiot.”
‘Disgraceful’
His banning order means he cannot attend any football match in the UK over that time.
When international matches are being staged abroad, Barwise must surrender his passport.
Senior crown prosecutor Angela Conlan described his behaviour as “disgraceful”.
She said: “Joel Barwise no doubt thinks of himself as a loyal Everton fan but his actions bring shame to his club.
“He made fun of a tragic football disaster and shouted racist abuse when a key Liverpool player’s name was announced.”
