EXCLUSIVE: Man United fan who wore a mean shirt and mocked the Hillsborough disaster during the FA Cup final was evicted from Wembley by police during an England match in September for punching a fellow fan
- The Man United fan who was suspended for wearing a mean Hillsborough shirt punched a fan
- James White, 33, punched another fan during a game in England last year
- He has been banned from football for four years for his conduct in the FA Cup final
The Manchester United fan was banned from football for four years for wearing a shirt that made a disgusting mockery of the Hillsborough disaster. He was kicked out of Wembley last year for punching another fan.
James White, 33, was suspended earlier this week after pleading guilty to displaying threatening or abusive texts likely to cause harassment, alarm or fear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in North West London.
He had worn a football shirt with an offensive reference to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which killed 97 fans of United’s rivals Liverpool, in United’s 2–1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on 3 June, a high-profile football event. .
United also issued White with an indefinite suspension even after his suspension from football has expired.
And now new footage has emerged showing White from Stockton, Warwickshire punching a fan at Wembley Stadium during England’s 3-3 draw with Germany last September.
The football fan who wore a mean shirt and mocked the Hillsborough disaster was seen at Wembley last year punching another fan
James White was kicked out of Wembley after punching a fan during an England match
White throws a right hand at another fan wearing a black gilet, causing his head to snap back.
Police officers quickly moved in and escorted White out of the stadium.
Before appearing in court this week, White smiled as he arrived for his hearing. He wore a checkered three-piece suit and a white shirt.
The court heard how, when questioned by police, he claimed, “You didn’t ask what the t-shirt means. My grandfather died at the age of 97 and he didn’t have enough children.’
The 33-year-old wore the offending shirt during the FA Cup final between United and rivals Manchester City on June 3, which City won 2-1.
He was arrested for a public order offense at Wembley after pictures of him wearing the shirt were widely shared on social media.
District judge Mark Jabbitt told White, who has tattoos on his neck and face: ‘You attended the FA Cup final of Manchester United vs Manchester City on 3 June, a high profile football event.
‘And there you were, in a Manchester United football shirt with ’97 Not Enough’ written on the back… a more painful or offensive message for the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is hard to imagine.
“I will imagine the impact is profound and disturbing. Why you showed a carefully printed top when Manchester United played against Manchester City is hard to understand.’
Manchester United confirmed their decision to indefinitely suspend White, saying: “Mockery of Hillsborough and other football tragedies is completely unacceptable and the club will continue to support strong action to ban it from the game.”
White, 33, laughed in court this week after being handed a four-year ban from attending football matches after wearing a vile shirt mocking the Hillsborough disaster
White, from Warwickshire, pleaded guilty Monday at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in London to displaying threatening or abusive texts likely to cause harassment, alarm or fear
The United away strip was printed with the words ‘not enough’ above the number 97, sparking widespread condemnation and outrage.
Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of eyeballing a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.
English football’s governing body, the FA, said in a statement: “The FA strongly condemns the actions of the person who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
“We saw a photo of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately set to work identifying the perpetrator.
Our security team was able to quickly locate the person based on the image and we welcome the swift action subsequently taken by the police.
“We will not tolerate abuse related to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against the perpetrators.”