Liverpool FC are set to hand a lifetime stadium ban to the racist fan who hurled abuse at a family - ruining a 5-year-old boy's first trip to Anfield.
The Malik family were subjected to racial slurs before Steven Gallagher, 37 launched into a foul mouthed tirade when the five-year-old son of the family knocked his seat.
Amir Malik said his children were left in "floods of tears" after the incident at the Liverpool Legends vs Milan Glorie charity match at Anfield on Saturday.
Gallagher, from Portglenone in Ballymena Northern Ireland, appeared at Sefton Magistrates' Court ,Bootle, on Monday where he admitted a charge of racially aggravated threatening or abusive behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
This evening LFC condemned the 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.”
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Today the court heard how Gallagher shouted "****** p*** b*******" at the family after drinking an estimated seven or eight pints by his own estimate.
Fellow supporters apologised for the man's abhorrent behaviour and said Gallagher was a bit "p*****".
A statement from Mr Malik 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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Helen Dugdale, defending, said her client "could not believe" he had used the vile racist language described.
She said: "The language is not something that is normally in his mind and is not something he uses.
"He has no explanation to offer to the court today...
"It is an offence that is totally out of character, one he bitterly regrets and one he has shown remorse for."
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.
