Football fan given three-year ban for racist abuse

John Phipps shouted the abuse on a day when Swindon Town was marking the football league's anti-racism campaign [Ben Hoskins/Getty]

A man has been banned from attending football games for three years after racially abusing players following a match.

John Phipps, 45, of Slad Road in Stroud, was overheard shouting at players after the Swindon Town match at the County Ground against Doncaster Rovers on 19 October 2024, a game marked by the club to support the football league's Together Against Racism campaign.

Phipps was handed the banning order at Swindon Magistrates Court on 25 March after pleading guilty to racially aggravated harassment behaviour.

He was also fined £400 and ordered to pay an extra £245 in costs.

More from Wiltshire

• Chinook helicopter used to restore giant kiwi
• Why Swindon's first all-out election in more than a decade matters
• Man runs London Marathon in memory of late mum

The focus of the Together Against Racism campaign was to hear first-hand stories of racism from fans, players and managers, and show how football is "fighting to remove racism" from the game.

PC Dan Hatt, dedicated football officer at Wiltshire Police said: "We take our role in combating discrimination in football very seriously."

Hatt said officers are present at most Swindon Town matches, allowing police to identify offenders, which can subsequently lead to prosecutions and banning orders.

He said the force were "constantly working" with the club to "help maintain a positive and family-friendly atmosphere" for supporters who attend the County Ground.

Police said there was currently 20 football banning orders in place for Swindon and Wiltshire residents, which doesn't include supporters from other counties.

Swindon Town Football Club has been approached for comment.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story

• Football fan banned for racist comments at game
• Swindon fan cleared of racially abusing Ashley Cole
• 'We don't want hooligans' says football club chair

Related Internet Links

• Wiltshire Police
• HM Courts & Tribunals Service
• Swindon Town Football Club