A 58-year-old Burnley fan who hurled racist abuse at Premier League player Marvin Zeegelaar has been banned from all football matches for three years.

Jonathan Embury launched the foul-mouthed tirade during a game Turf Moor, after Zeegelaar, who plays for Watford, tackled Clarets player Steven Defour and was sent off.

Embury swore, repeatedly used the "n-word," and yelled: "Get back to the jungle." He then did monkey noises and shouted: "Send them all back. Get the British National Party in power," a court heard.

Prosecutor Mrs Alex Mann told Burnley magistrates that the man sitting next to the defendant was so distressed by what he described as the "horrible" racist comments towards the Watford player he reported the incident to the police. She said: "The witness says "He (the defendant) was shouting very loudly so that other people could hear them. I was extremely upset. I was too scared to confront him. I didn't want to cause a scene. Another member of the public said something to him. The man, who appeared to be on his own, was looking angry and stressed."

Mrs Mann said Embury was interviewed by police. She went on: "He expressed remorse for his actions and knew his actions were wrong, saying he would do anything to make things right." The prosecutor had told the hearing: "The defendant has pleaded guilty and this is his first conviction. It's a real shame, bearing in mind particularly the nature of the offence as well." Mr John Rusius, defending Embury, said: "To say he's very ashamed of what happened is very much an understatement."

starting_11 wrote:Glad he was banned.

Sounds like he had mental health issues though so he should get a free pass.

Rick_Muller wrote:3 years ban isn't enough - life ban for that in my opinion. I dont want anyone like him at football tarnishing my club and my friends.

Walton wrote:Very surprised it's not a life ban

LittleBritton wrote:Typically there is a fair amount of spin in that story...

LittleBritton wrote:Typically there is a fair amount of spin in that story...

tybfc wrote:There should be.

He used to be a spin bowler for England

Lancasterclaret wrote:First offence

It would be pretty harsh to get a life ban

Though of course it might well be the first time he's been caught

tybfc wrote:There should be.

He used to be a spin bowler for England

Lord Rothbury wrote:A footballer can racially abuse another and get away with a ten match ban but some want this guy banned for life .Of course when the 10 match ban kicks in the rest of the players in his team warm up in t shirts with slogans supporting him.Strange world.

bfcjg wrote:Woman who reported it should be commended you tend to find his sort can be very aggressive and threatening towards anyone who questions their perverse logic.

CoolClaret wrote:I love going on to the Turf, what I despise though is some of the mindless comments and chants that some folk come out with.

Jonathan Embury launched the foul-mouthed tirade during a game Turf Moor, after Zeegelaar, who plays for Watford, tackled Clarets player Steven Defour and was sent off.

Embury swore, repeatedly used the "n-word," and yelled: "Get back to the jungle." He then did monkey noises and shouted: "Send them all back. Get the British National Party in power," a court heard.

ClaretMoffitt wrote:How can someone this stupid make it to the age of 58 without a single previous conviction? I can;t imagine anyone saying those things loudly and in a crowd, I strongly suspect he is having some kind of mental breakdown or has CJD or something. No rational person would say those things, even drunk.

dsr wrote:BFC always used to give automatic life bans for anyone convicted of a football offence (rescindable later if you keep your nose clean in the meantime, depending on the offence). Do they still?

NottsClaret wrote:It's certainly old school stuff isn't it? It's like he's popped up from 1978 or something with no concept of the world having changed.

ClaretMoffitt wrote:I wasn't around for that decade so the idea of that type of stuff being shouted loudly and proudly is so alien to me it's difficult to even believe it happening.

Steve1956 wrote:Football terraces where not a nice place to be in the 70s and 80s thankfully people have moved on except people like the dickhead this thread is about,always a few loose cannons about,haven't heard any racial abuse at the Turf for many years.

nil_desperandum wrote:Really?
You don't hear a lot nowadays, but I think most on here will unfortunately have been aware of comments and chanting by the odd individual from time to time, though I must admit that I don't think I've heard anyone recently in the category of the racist moron in this case.

Steve1956 wrote:Honestly no,and the last three seasons I've spent my time in the cricket field stand with our more vocal fans.

Steve1956 wrote:Football terraces where not a nice place to be in the 70s and 80s thankfully people have moved on except people like the dickhead this thread is about,always a few loose cannons about,haven't heard any racial abuse at the Turf for many years.

Falcon wrote:Brighton fans will have a field day with this.