Football Supporter Banned for Abusing Mohamed Salah and Taunting Disaster
Football Supporter Banned for Abusing Mohamed Salah and Taunting Disaster
A football supporter who verbally attacked Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and mocked the Heysel stadium tragedy has been prohibited from attending matches.
Joel Barwise shouted racist remarks when Salah’s name was called out at Anfield on 21 October, ahead of the Merseyside derby. Additionally, the Everton fan made disrespectful gestures in reference to the Heysel disaster, where 39 individuals lost their lives in a crowd incident before the 1985 European Cup final.
He received a three-year ban from matches following a ruling at Sefton Magistrates’ Court. Barwise, 26, admitted guilt to racially or religiously aggravated harassment causing alarm or distress through verbal expressions.
Barwise, residing in Childwall, Liverpool, on Bentham Drive, was fined £500. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that he was spotted by a match steward engaging in racist behavior and making offensive gestures. Identified from CCTV footage by Merseyside Police, he was subsequently arrested.
Initially denying the accusations, Barwise later confessed to his actions, attributing them to his own foolishness. His ban prohibits him from attending any UK football match during this period. Furthermore, during international matches abroad, he is required to surrender his passport.
He is also restricted from coming within a mile of any Everton match, whether at home or away, or within a mile of Liverpool Lime Street station on matchdays, as per the CPS.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Angela Conlan condemned Barwise’s conduct, labeling it as “disgraceful.” She remarked, “Joel Barwise may consider himself a devoted Everton supporter, but his actions bring shame to his club. He chose to mock a tragic football incident and spewed racist insults when a prominent Liverpool player’s name was announced.”
In the game that followed, Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2-0 score, with Salah scoring both goals.
