UPDATED: Derby County fan Adam Smith found guilty of racial abuse
Derbyshire Police have released a statement following the conviction of Adam Smith - a Derby County supporter found guilty of two charges of racially aggravated use of threatening and abusive language.
Adam Smith, 34, of Merrill Way, Allenton, was overheard by other fans at a match being verbally abusive about Derby player Nathan Tyson and Birmingham City player Marlon King.
The abuse took place at a Rams match against Birmingham at Pride Park in November 24.
Smith was found guilty at a trial at Derby Magistrates' Court.
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He will be sentenced next month and faces a minimum three-year football banning order.
Superintendent Gary Parkin, who co-ordinates policing in Derby on match days, said: “Neither the police nor Derby County FC will tolerate any racist behaviour or abuse at Pride Park.
“The club has created a family-friendly environment. This sort of behaviour is not acceptable at the ground or indeed anywhere.
"Although the remarks were directed at two players they were overheard by other people in the crowd.
"I’m grateful to the three witnesses who came forward to give the evidence which led to today’s conviction.”
10 Comments
by thairam
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:46PM
“fair play lads got the wrong of the stick good on you, Ive had them near me spouting off and a few words normaly does the trick, sounds like hes a compleat Foot-wit.”
by wayne161083
Saturday, February 16 2013, 11:30AM
“Yes ramraider totally agree pal,,,, u can have good rating from yours truely”
by RamRaider84
Saturday, February 16 2013, 11:06AM
“thairam: Trust me we had stewards up where we sat as we had regular fall outs with this youth, I have Wayne just below who commented to back me up on this, We always was telling him to keep his gob shut and we almost got chucked out of many of games because of this fool. Why should i smash this idiot in the face just to get my season ticket terminated????? Id of love to give the guy a wack but chucking £400 season ticket down the pan because of this youth wasnt worth it we had a few scuffles a cpl of games the police sat near us with vid cameras which was fun”
by thairam
Saturday, February 16 2013, 4:33AM
“I hate racial people, I am married to an asian but I think a firm word was all that was required blown up out of all proportion and if he sat in front of me for a season being an idiot, it is only a testament of your testicular size that you never got out your seat and had a word in his shell like...”
by superderby
Friday, February 15 2013, 11:41PM
“Hallelujah. This youth intimidates everyone around him.”
by RamRaider84
Friday, February 15 2013, 8:17PM
“This is the idiot that had a season ticket in front of me in 2003, He was constantly abusing DCFC Players but i never heard any racial slurs if i did i would of gave him what for and reported him to police straight away, Really pleased that DCFC had the courage to report this Bully Boy, And he deserves everything he gets the wimp, DCFC should be proud to get 1 less moron out of its stands :)”
by wayne161083
Friday, February 15 2013, 8:04PM
“so glad these supporters that have stood up to report this moron, we had problems with this same lad way back in 2003. we dont need this kind of behavior at our fantastic club and i for one am very happy the idiot has been bought to justice. DCFC4LIFE”
by BlacknWhite
Friday, February 15 2013, 7:36PM
“Well done lads, great courage.
Derby County supporters can all stand a little taller today.”
by bogwashram
Friday, February 15 2013, 5:10PM
“Kick it out. Great self policing by the crowd, I would do the same. Sad there is a Derby fan who is as scummy as this, but proud to be part of a crowd that won't stand for it.”
by B4_lives
Friday, February 15 2013, 3:24PM
“Good on the witnesses for not only having the morals ethics (a given to normal people, i know) but also the balls to stand up and do something.”