Blackburn fan’s racism ban welcomed

FOOTBALL chiefs welcomed the five-year ban handed to the Blackburn fan who racially abused Dwight Yorke.

Jason Perryman, 22, was caught on television hurling monkey chants and gesturing towards Yorke as the Birmingham striker warmed up during the 3-3 draw on Sunday.

Perryman, of Chorley, Lancashire, admitted at Blackburn Magistrates Court to an offence of racially aggravated disorderly behaviour and was banned from attending matches in England and Wales until 2009. He was also fined £1,000 with £75 costs.

A joint statement read: “The FA and the Premier League have welcomed the five-year banning order imposed on Jason Perryman for racially-aggravated abuse aimed at Birmingham City’s Dwight Yorke.

“The FA and the Premier League condemns any form of racism and we welcome the strongest possible action against anyone identified as engaging in racist behaviour. Blackburn Rovers and the police are to be applauded for acting quickly and decisively in this case.

“The two organisations are fully committed to working together with other leagues, clubs, supporters groups and organisations such as Kick It Out to drive racism out of football.”

Perryman intends to apologise personally to Yorke in a letter, the court heard.

A second fan, David Ashcroft, 21, pleaded not guilty to a second charge following Sunday’s game.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have issued a statement condemning racist behaviour but say that they were unaware that any incidents had taken place in Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.

“Real Madrid roundly condemns racist incidents of any type,” the club said on its website.

“Real Madrid declares that if any incidents occurred during last night’s Champions League game, they were so small that no one at the stadium or anyone at the club was aware they took place.”

Members of the club’s Ultra Sur group of radical fans were seen directing monkey noises and racist insults at Leverkusen’s black players Roque Junior and Juan on two occasions during the 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.

Television pictures also showed bare-chested members of the Ultra Sur, some of whom bore tattoos of Swastikas and Adolf Hitler, making Nazi salutes during the match.