Ban for racist abuse of Evra

Patrice Evra of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in May (GETTY IMAGES)

A Liverpool fan has been banned from football matches for four years after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United captain Patrice Evra.

Phillip Gannon was seen on live television making a racially offensive "monkey gesture" during an FA Cup fourth-round match.

The usual heated atmosphere was even more volatile on 28 January this year because it was the first match between the clubs since Liverpool's Luis Suarez had been handed an eight-match ban for also racially abusing Evra.

Yesterday, Liverpool magistrates court banned the 58-year-old from all Liverpool and England games and ordered him to pay a £180 fine as well as £300 prosecution costs.

Gannon is also banned from Liverpool city centre for four hours before and after a match.