- Robert Garland has been banned from attending football games for three years
- He made a racial gesture to Tottenham’s Son Heung-min at Selhurst Park in May
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The Premier League are in full support of the three-year football ban issued to the individual who racially abused Son Heung-min at Selhurst Park in May.
Robert Garland made the racial gesture at the forward after he was substituted in the 89th minute against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 6 May, 2023.
The 44-year-old football fan pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment at Highbury Magistrates Court on August 25.
Garland was £1,384 fine and ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work. Prosecutors also pushed for a football ban to be added to Garland’s sentence.
Such a ban has been approved, meaning Garland will denied access to any regulated match for the next three years.
The Premier League are in full support of the three-year football ban issued to the individual who racially abused Son Heung-min at Selhurst Park in May
Robert Garland made the racial gesture at the forward after he was substituted in the 89th minute against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 6 May, 2023
Additionally, Garland will have to hand over his passport during international fixtures to prevent him heading overseas to catch the action.
The Premier League are in full support of the decision – having taken to social media to make their feelings known.
The Premier League released the following statement: ‘The Premier League welcomes the three-year football banning order issued today to an individual who racially abused Son Heung-min at Selhurst Park in May.
‘It is vital that those found guilty of discriminatory behaviour are held to account, this punishment sends a clear message that action will be taken and there are consequences.’
The incident in question too place during Tottenham’s clash with Crystal Palace earlier this year.
It was evident that Son noticed the spectator as he walked around the pitch after being substituted near the end of the game in May.
Footage of Son’s reaction following the incident was caught on camera and circulated on social media before being reported to the clubs.
Palace released a statement shortly after the incident, claiming they would ‘not tolerate such behaviour’ and that the fan would ‘face a club ban’.
Their statement read: ‘Evidence has been shared with the police, and when he is identified, he will face a club ban. We will not tolerate such behaviour.’
While Spurs wrote: ‘We will do everything in our powers to ensure that if found guilty, the individual will receive the strongest possible action.’
The incident in May marked the third time Son had been targeted by racial abuse during while representing Tottenham this season.
The South Korean star encountered similar fallout after games against Chelsea and West Ham earlier in the year.
A Chelsea supporter was given a stadium ban by the club and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence for making a racially aggravated gesture at Son.
Meanwhile, Tottenham also had to carry out similar investigations after their player received racist messages on social media after a 2-0 win over West Ham in February.
Kick It Out released a similar statement following the incident and questioned the current existing policy that makes players leave the pitch at the nearest exit.
The organisations Head of Player Engagement Troy Townsend said: ‘Kick It Out are appalled to hear that Heung-Min Son was subject to alleged racist abuse during yesterday’s Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.
‘This is not the first time that he has been forced to endure such abhorrent discrimination. It is vital that player welfare is always the priority, and we urge football’s stakeholders to examine whether their policy of making players leave the pitch at the nearest point can in certain circumstances risk exposing players to discriminatory abuse, particularly during moments of high tension in the game.
‘Furthermore, we commend the clubs and the Metropolitan Police for their swift response to this incident and echo Crystal Palace’s stance that any perpetrators must receive a club ban for their actions.
‘Kick It Out are here to support all victims of discriminatory abuse and we would encourage anybody who sadly experiences or witnesses abuse of any kind in the game to report it to us.’
