London, Dec 24, IRNA ,The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) Wednesday endorsed concern expressed about the leniency of a court decision to only fine a football fans for chanting Islamophobic abuse against Egyptian striker Mido.
The MCB said that while it welcomed this month’s court conviction, it was “greatly disappointed” that Newcastle United supporter Barry eHutchinson did not receive a football banning order preventing attendance at future Premier League matches.
Criticism of the fine was also voiced by the English Football Association (FA), which pledged to stamp out Islamophobia and racism at stadiums, as well as by Mido’s club, Middlesbrough, in north-east England.
“We concur very much with the FA’s reaction to the sentence. We would like to display our satisfaction on the firm position which you have taken in illustrating your disappointment on its leniency,” said MCB secretary general Abdul Bari.
“It is paramount that the FA and the courts react in an equivalent manner to send an unambiguous message and deter similar cases from re -emerging in the future,” Bari said in a letter to the FA’s chief executive Brian Barwick.
Huchinson, aged 49, was convicted of offensive taunts after admitting he joined in the Islamophobic abuse, including chants that “Mido he has a bomb” at last month’s derby game between Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
His conviction at Middlesbrough magistrates’ court under the Football Offences Act 1991 was the first of its kind to include Islamophobic chants.
Dave Allan, media manager for Middlesbrough, also said that his club was “disappointed” a banning order has not been issued in the case.
“It makes it very difficult for football clubs to have a robust anti-racism policy,” Allan said, but added that despite the setback, his club will continue to be vigorous and supportive in tackling “all discriminatory and anti-social behaviour.”
Although Hutchinson, who has been a season ticket holder for 20 years, did not receive a general football banning order, Newcastle said that he would be banned from its stadium at St James’ Park.
He was charged with offensive chanting along with his 23-year old son, Andrew, but who denied the offence and will be tried at a later date.