Football Fan Receives Three-Year Ban for Racist Gesture towards Tottenham's Son Heung-min

Fan originally sentenced to community service and fine; sentence escalated to match ban after Tottenham raised concerns about leniency.

A football fan has received a three-year ban from attending matches for making a racist gesture towards Tottenham Hotspur's forward, Son Heung-min, during a match against Crystal Palace in May.
The fan, identified as Robert Garland, was arrested and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and initially sentenced to 60 hours of community service and a fine.
Tottenham Hotspur raised concerns about the leniency of the original sentence, leading to an appeal by the police and the imposition of the three-year banning order.
The club issued a statement expressing its zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination and its commitment to seeking the strongest possible action against those found responsible.
The Premier League also welcomed the ban, stating that those found guilty of discriminatory behaviour must be held accountable, with the sentencing sending a strong message that actions have consequences.