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Everton fan found guilty of racially abusing two Premier League players Everton fan found guilty of racially abusing two Premier League players
(35 minutes later)
A man has been found guilty of racially abusing two Premier League footballers in front of his wife, children and grandson.A man has been found guilty of racially abusing two Premier League footballers in front of his wife, children and grandson.
William Blything, an Everton fan, hurled the racist abuse at Queen's Park Rangers' Korean captain Park Ji-Sung and the Everton forward Victor Anichebe as his team drew 1-1 at Loftus Road on 21 October. William Blything, an Everton fan, hurled the racist abuse at Queens Park Rangers' South Korean captain Park Ji-sung and the Everton forward Victor Anichebe as his team drew 1-1 at Loftus Road on 21 October.
Blything, of Moss Pits Lane in Wavertree, Liverpool, denied a single count of racially-aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress but was found guilty at West London Magistrates' Court today. Blything, of Moss Pits Lane in Wavertree, Liverpool, denied a single count of racially-aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress but was found guilty at West London magistrates' court on Monday.
Passing verdict, District Judge Jeremy Coleman said the defendant would not face a custodial penalty when he is sentenced on 11 February.Passing verdict, District Judge Jeremy Coleman said the defendant would not face a custodial penalty when he is sentenced on 11 February.
He said: "If the players had heard these comments – and there is no evidence that they did – it would have caused them upset."He said: "If the players had heard these comments – and there is no evidence that they did – it would have caused them upset."
Giving evidence in court today, Everton fan Neil Jordan said he was "outraged" by the abuse and had tweeted a picture of Blything, referring to him as a "racist twat" before reporting him to stewards. Giving evidence in court, the Everton fan Neil Jordan said he was "outraged" by the abuse and had tweeted a picture of Blything, referring to him as a "racist twat" before reporting him to stewards.
Jordan said he first noticed Blything as he made one of his children cry by telling him to "man up" when QPR scored a goal. He later heard the defendant refer to Anichebe, who is originally from Nigeria, as a "fucking black monkey" several times.Jordan said he first noticed Blything as he made one of his children cry by telling him to "man up" when QPR scored a goal. He later heard the defendant refer to Anichebe, who is originally from Nigeria, as a "fucking black monkey" several times.
Jordan said: "At that point I realised that it wasn't an isolated incident. There was clearly some intent to target that player because, in my opinion, of the colour of his skin, coupled with general agitation and abuse aimed at the home end and abuse towards another opposition player."Jordan said: "At that point I realised that it wasn't an isolated incident. There was clearly some intent to target that player because, in my opinion, of the colour of his skin, coupled with general agitation and abuse aimed at the home end and abuse towards another opposition player."
Louise Thomas, prosecuting, told the court that Jordan described how he was left "shaking and distraught" by the abuse.Louise Thomas, prosecuting, told the court that Jordan described how he was left "shaking and distraught" by the abuse.
Also giving evidence, an Everton fan John Murmame said he heard Blything shout "Take down that chink" in reference to Park. "I go to a lot of football games but this was exceptional," he said.Also giving evidence, an Everton fan John Murmame said he heard Blything shout "Take down that chink" in reference to Park. "I go to a lot of football games but this was exceptional," he said.
The match saw the QPR defender Anton Ferdinand and other team-mates refuse to don a T-shirt in support of anti-racism campaign Kick It Out. The match saw the QPR defender Anton Ferdinand and other team-mates refuse to don a T-shirt in support of the anti-racism campaign Kick It Out.
Last October, the Chelsea captain John Terry was given a four-month suspension and £220,000 fine after being found guilty by the FA of racially abusing Ferdinand during a match in October 2011.Last October, the Chelsea captain John Terry was given a four-month suspension and £220,000 fine after being found guilty by the FA of racially abusing Ferdinand during a match in October 2011.