Rangers fan banned and given community service after racially abusing Scott Sinclair
A Rangers fan who admitted making racial gestures to Celtic star Scott Sinclair at last month’s Old Firm clash has been spared jail.
Paul Kenny, 28, appeared from custody at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he admitted a charge under the the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.
He admitted the charge of engaging in behaviour that is likely or would be likely to incite public disorder in that he did “shout and make racial gestures”.
Kenny, of Girvan, South Ayrshire made the motion at Ibrox Stadium on April 29 after Celtic player Scott Sinclair scored a penalty early in the game.
The court heard when the footballer scored a goal and celebrated on the pitch, Kenny was captured on camera using his arms to mimic a monkey.Social media helped to identify Kenny who was later arrested by the police.
Sheriff Brian Cameron handed Kenny a community payback order with 100 hours unpaid work and an 18 month football banning order.
Days after the incident, Sinclair delivered an anti-racism message following Celtic’s 4-1 win against St Johnstone. The Hoops midfielder held aloft a top which read ‘Love Celtic, Hate Racism’ after the final whistle.
And Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers revealed Sinclair’s team-mates had been helping him over the trauma.
Sinclair also revealed that he had never suffered racist abuse before Kenny’s vile stunt.
He said: “That’s the first time it has happened here, the first time in my career actually, so I was quite taken aback by it. It was one of those negative things. It seems like it’s always going to be around in football because of a minority of people.
“For me there will always be people like that — I’ve just got to carry on with my football and keep enjoying that. In football we want to kick it out because there’s no need for it.”
From: Scottish Sun
