EXCLUSIVE: Man United fan who wore vile shirt mocking the Hillsborough disaster at the FA Cup final was kicked out of Wembley by police at England game in September for punching a fellow fan
- The Man United fan banned for wearing vile Hillsborough shirt punched a fan
- James White, 33, was seen hitting another fan at an England game last year
- He has received a four-year football ban for his behaviour at the FA Cup final
The Manchester United fan handed a four-year football ban for wearing a shirt disgustingly mocking the Hillsborough disaster was kicked out of Wembley last year for punching another fan.
James White, 33, received a ban earlier this week after pleading guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in north-west London.
He had worn a football shirt with an offensive reference to the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 in which 97 fans of United’s rivals Liverpool died, at United’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on 3 June, a high-profile football event.
United also issued an indefinite ban to White even after his suspension from football ends.
And now, new footage has emerged showing White, of Stockton, Warwickshire, punching a fan at Wembley Stadium during England’s 3-3 draw with Germany last September.
The football fan who wore a vile shirt mocking the Hillsborough disaster was seen punching another fan at Wembley last year
James White was kicked out of Wembley after punching a fan during an England game
White is seen throwing a right hand at another fan wearing a black body warmer, causing his head to snap back.
Police officers quickly swooped in and escorted White from the stadium.
Ahead of his court appearance this week, White smiled as he arrived for his hearing. He wore a checked three-piece suit and a white shirt.
The court heard how, when questioned by police, he claimed: ‘You haven’t asked what the t-shirt means. My grandad died at age 97 and he didn’t have enough kids.’
The 33-year-old wore the offending jersey at 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 offence inside 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, wearing a Manchester United football shirt with “97 Not Enough” written on the back… it’s hard to imagine a more painful or offensive message to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
‘I will suggest to you the impact is profound and distressing. Why you would display a carefully printed top when Manchester United was playing Manchester City, it’s hard to understand.’
Manchester United, confirming their decision to ban White indefinitely, said: ‘Mockery of Hillsborough and other football tragedies is completely unacceptable and the club will continue to support firm action to eradicate it from the game.’
White, 33, laughed in court this week after being given a four-year ban from attending football matches after wearing a vile shirt mocking the Hillsborough disaster
White, of Warwickshire, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress
The United away strip was printed with the words ‘not enough’ above the number 97, leading to widespread condemnation and outrage.
Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at 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 individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
‘We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator.
Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.
‘We will not tolerate abuse relating 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 perpetrators.’
