A five-year-old boy who was brought to tears by racial slurs flung at his family during the Liverpool FC legends game had his first match experience saved by Steven Gerrard.
The youngster was begging to go home after another fan hurled racist abuse at his family during Saturday's match.
But his dad has credited former LFC captain Steven Gerrard with "saving" his son's first ever Liverpool game experience by scoring the winning goal against Milan Glorie.
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According to the boy's father, Amir Malik, he went from being in "floods of tears" to jumping off his seat in celebration when Stevie G scored the winner.
Mr Malik also praised the game stewards and Merseyside Police for dealing with Steven Gallagher, the man hurling the vile abuse.
Commenting on the ECHO's Facebook page he wrote:"I just want to say a very big thank you to the stewards at the game and Merseyside Police for dealing with it the way they did and the way they took care of both of my children, it was greatly appreciated.
"The little man was in floods of tears until Steven Gerrard scored the winner. I wasn’t there to see it because I was with the police but apparently he stopped crying and jumped off his seat to celebrate and the stewards celebrated with him
" Thanks stevie you brought me so much joy as a Liverpool player thanks for cheering my son up as well A true legend #YNWA "
Liverpool FC respond after fan's racist abuse of family during Anfield match
Gallagher from Portglenone in Ballymena Northern Ireland, appeared at Sefton Magistrates' Court yesterday, where he admitted a charge of racially aggravated threatening or abusive behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The 37-year-old had been muttering racial slurs during the game and then launched into a foul mouthed tirade when Mr Malik's five-year-old son knocked his seat.
Gallagher shouted "****** p*** b*******" at the family after drinking an estimated seven or eight pints by his own estimate.
His solicitor said he "bitterly regrets" the comments he made and was remorseful.
Liverpool FC have Liverpool FC respond after fan's racist abuse of family during Anfield match the vile racist abuse the Malik's suffered and confirmed the club's policy to hand a lifetime stadium ban to anyone who engages in such activity.
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Liverpool FC Spokesperson, said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist abuse that a family was subjected to during Saturday’s legends match against Milan Glorie.
“The individual responsible has received a criminal conviction and will also be subject to the Club’s sanctions process. Anyone found guilty of such an offence will be subject to a lifetime stadium ban, regardless of the classification of fixture.
“We have contacted the Malik family to offer our support and we would like to reiterate that supporters of all backgrounds are welcome at Anfield Stadium.”
Gallagher was given a 12 month exclusion order banning him from coming within a mile of Anfield Football Stadium.
He was also sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and fined him £250.
Gallagher was also ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
