Aston Villa fan handed three-year ban for racially abusing Raheem Sterling

19 January 2023 , 08:38

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Timothy Hyslop has been banned from football for three years after directing a racial slur at Raheem Sterling (Image: West Midlands Police / SWNS)

An Aston Villa fan has been banned from attending matches for three years for racially abusing Chelsea and England star Raheem Sterling.

Timothy Hyslop, 54, shouted a racist slur when Sterling was on the ball during the first half of a Premier League game at Villa Park. He made the vile comments during Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Aston Villa on October 16 last year.

Hyslop was quizzed by police after the game and charged with a racially aggravated section 5 public order offence. He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (17/1) where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Hyslop, of Britannia Drive, Burton, Staffs., was handed a three-year football banning order (FBO) and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £538.

Raheem Sterling was subjected to racist abuse during Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa in October last year (CameraSport via Getty Images)

PC Stuart Ward, football hate crime officer at West Midlands Police, said: "This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. “Abusing anyone for the colour of their skin is disgusting and can never, ever be condoned.

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"There is no place for racism in football or society in general. I would like to thank Aston Villa for their assistance during this investigation." PC Ward was appointed the UK’s first dedicated hate crime officer based within a football unit two years ago.

He took up the role after football-related racism shop up by 42 per cent in just one season.

Adam Dutton