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Liverpool ‘fan’ jailed for ‘sickening’ racist violence
28/ 6/2004
A LIVERPOOL fan who made racist remarks to a fellow supporter
during a match was jailed for two years and banned from football
games for six years.
Thirty-five-year-old Paul McManaman was convicted of racially
aggravated assault after a Liverpool Crown Court jury heard how the
incident between him and the victim, Balbir Singh Sangha, happened
during half-time in the Liverpool-Valencia game on 9 August last
year at Anfield.
While McManaman was in the concourse area behind the main stand he
encountered Mr Sangha who had travelled to the city from his Dudley
home with his six-year-old daughter and two nephews.
McManaman asked him where he was from and Mr Sangha said
Birmingham. McManaman said he was "a Paki, Liverpool doesn't like
Pakis and Pakis are not welcome ."
Mr Sangha could not believe it and tried to reason with him,
saying, "We both support the same team, we share the same passion".
But McManaman punched him in the face under his eye and sent him
sprawling to the ground and he was left badly bruised and with
continuing ear problems.
Liverpool FC sent him four complimentary tickets for their Boxing
Day match which he attended but he has not been back to watch his
beloved team again.
"It was an appalling incident and one for which you have shown no
remorse," Judge Brian Lewis told McManaman.
"You were convicted of playing your part in an incident which
besmirched the reputation of Liverpool, both the city and the
football club," he said.
"It took place in a crowded public place and anyone who has been to
a football match can readily understand how it could quickly have
developed into serious public disorder.
"You must face an immediate custodial sentence not just to punish
you but to make it clear to others that this sort of behaviour will
not be tolerated.
"It is difficult to imagine a more calculated and sickening piece
of racial abuse," added Judge Lewis.
Jonathan Duffy, defending, said that it had been an unprovoked
attack but had not been pre-meditated and had been a single blow.
"He is guilty of one isolated moment of madness."
He said that McManaman, who has no convictions for violence and who
has a four-month-old daughter, still denies he was responsible for
the attack.
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