Liverpool FC reach decision over fan who racially abused family at Anfield

Liverpool FC have confirmed that a fan who racially abused a family of fellow Reds supporters during a charity match at Anfield has been banned for life from the stadium.

Steven Gallagher, 37, had been muttering racial slurs towards Amir Malik but exploded into a rage when the victim's five-year-old son accidentally knocked his seat with his foot during the Liverpool Legends vs Milan Glorie game at the Reds ground last Saturday.

Mr Malik said his son and four-year-old daughter were left in "floods of tears" and wanted to go home after the incident.

Factory worker Gallagher wound up spending two nights in the cells and appeared at Sefton Magistrates' Court where he admitted a charge of racially aggravated threatening or abusive behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

 

Gallagher had travelled to watch the game from his home in Portglenone in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and had sunk around seven or eight pints according to his own estimates.

Steven Gallagher, 37, from Orchard Drive in Portglenone, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, who was handed a suspended sentence for racially abusing Amir Malik at a Liverpool FC charity game (Liverpool Echo)

A statement from Mr Malik that was read out in court, said: "This was my son's first Liverpool game. I have been subject to racist abuse in the past but my children have not.

"I felt it is disgusting that a grown man would act in such a way in complete disregard as to the presence of children and their young age."

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Liverpool FC condemned the abuse

A club spokesman at the time 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.

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“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.”

Today, the ECHO has been informed that sanction process has been completed Gallagher has been given a lifetime stadium ban and will never again be allowed inside Anfield.

Following the conviction, and said it would launch its own investigation.