A GLASGOW football fan heard shouting sectarian abuse into his mobile phone outside a pub has been banned from matches for a year.
Christopher Sommerville , 25, from Glasgow, was convicted of a contravention of Section 1(1) of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 at Dunfermline Sheriff Court today (Wednesday).
He was fined ÂŁ300 and had a 12 month Football Banning Order imposed for the incident on the evening of November 4 last year.
The court had heard that at about 7pm he was outside a pub in Broad Street, Cowdenbeath when police witnessed him loudly shouting the offensive sectarian remarks while on his phone.
The incident had happened prior to a Cowdenbeath versus Rangers match.
Speaking following sentencing Emma White, Football Liaison Prosecutor for the East of Scotland, said:
“Whether it is in the football ground or not, offensive sectarian remarks or behaviour is totally unacceptable, will not be tolerated, and you will be prosecuted.
““Football is not a platform for individuals to voice their bigotry. Police and prosecutors will not stand by while they attempt to do so.”