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Chelsea fan receives stadium ban for racially abusing Tottenham Hotspur's Heung-Min Son

Thomas Burchell was fined and banned from attending live football for three years after making a racist gesture towards Heung-Min Son during Chelsea's 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in August

General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League Group E stage match between Chelsea FC and Sevilla FC at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Image: Thomas Burchell has been banned from attending live football games for three years

A Chelsea fan has been given a stadium ban for racially abusing Tottenham Hotspur's Heung-Min Son during a match at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Burchell, 30, of Croydon, south London, made a racist gesture when the South Korea forward went to take a corner during a 2-2 Premier League draw on August 14.

He was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Burchell was fined £726 at the City of London Magistrates' Court, with the CPS saying the sum was increased to reflect the racially-aggravated element of the offence.

He was also issued with an order banning him from attending live football games for three years.

Chelsea identified Burchell after images of the incident were shared on social media and reported to Kick it Out, a group working to tackle racism in football.

Burchell admitted making the gesture when police confronted him with the evidence.

After the sentencing, senior crown prosecutor Kalsoom Shah said: "Football is a passionate sport but racist abuse will never be allowed to mar the game.

"We know people who are responsible for these actions are part of a small minority and we will continue to encourage anyone who sees or experiences this kind of behaviour to report it to the police and help us rid football of racism.

"Burchell's offensive gesture means that he can longer see his team play live."

Lionel Idan, the chief crown prosecutor for London South and national hate crime lead, said: "all forms of hate crime will not be tolerated whether within or outside a football ground."

He said prosecutors will "not hesitate to take people to court and seek harsher sentences so that justice is served" in cases where legal tests show it is merited.

He said: "Racist gestures and abuse are not just hurtful, they prevent other fans and players from enjoying the sport and cause real damage to the heart of the game.

"The CPS continues to play a crucial role in tackling such crimes and making our national game inclusive and safe for all to watch and play."

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Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion organisation - working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.

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