Kasey Palmer: Man banned for five years from football for racially abusing Coventry City striker | Football news

Edward Rabjohn, 21, from Sheffield, made a racist gesture towards Coventry’s Kasey Palmer during the second half of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and the Sky Blues at Hillsborough on January 20.

A spectator who directed a racist gesture at Coventry City’s Kasey Palmer has been given a five-year football banning order.

Edward Rabjohn, 21, from Sheffield, gestures to Palmer during the second half of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and the Sky Blues at Hillsborough on January 20.

Rabjohn was caught on camera making the gesture and in a police interview, he admitted the act and later fled the stadium.

Palmer reported the gesture to match referee Anthony Backhouse, who in turn reported it to Coventry manager Mark Robins.

Rabjohn pleaded guilty to racially abusing Palmer at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

In addition to the banning order, he was sentenced to a two-year community order and 200 hours of unpaid work. The sentence was increased because of the racially aggravated nature of the crime.

Julian Tanikal, District Crown Prosecutor and CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, lead prosecutor for sport, said: “Racist abuse has no place in society, let alone in sport. While Rabjohn quickly realized he had made an illegal move, it should not have gone in. his mind first.

“Mr Palmer instantly highlighted his abuse which was then escalated and reported to the police for investigation. I would encourage anyone who witnesses this type of offensive behavior to report it immediately to help eradicate it from the game.”