Tottenham fan banned for 3 years for mocking ‘Hillsborough disaster’

Authorities on Tuesday banned a Tottenham Hotspur fan from attending football matches for three years after he made gestures mocking the Hillsborough stadium disaster during a Premier League match in April.

The Public Prosecution Office said that Kieron Darlow, 25, made these gestures in Liverpool’s match against Tottenham at Anfield on April 30, and those affected reported his actions to the police to be identified and arrested.
Mersey Cheshire Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Page said: “Darlow admitted he had made a gesture towards Liverpool fans that it was a reference to the Hillsborough disaster.

He added: “I admit that this indicates that the fans who did not have tickets caused that tragedy and were partly responsible for the disaster in which a large number of people were killed.”

And he continued, “The fan agreed in court that he intended for Liverpool fans to see this gesture and to cause them harassment … This behavior is not only morally unacceptable, but criminal behaviour.”
Darlow received a court order banning him from attending football matches and being in the vicinity of stadiums for three years.

“We hope this decision sends a strong message to all football fans that their behavior at matches is under scrutiny and that if it becomes an offense they will be confronted with the full force of the law,” Page added.

The Hillsborough stadium disaster occurred in April 1989, when 97 Liverpool fans were killed after a stampede in an enclosed stand crowded beyond its capacity at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield before an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

In April, Liverpool called for an end to the “vile chants” about Hillsborough after they were heard during a goalless Premier League draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.