Boro and FA criticise court leniency

Middlesbrough and the Football Association have expressed their disappointment a Newcastle fan who admitted hurling racist abuse at striker Mido was not handed a banning order.

Barry Norman Hutchinson, 49, of Silver Lonnen, Fenham, pleaded guilty to an offence of racist or obscene chanting under the Football Offences Act 1991 during the Magpies’ 0-0 derby draw at Middlesbrough on November 29 at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday. His 23-year-old son, Barry Andrew Hutchinson, denies the same charge.