Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Canaries Fan Racist Tweet Gets Ban


A Norwich City football fan has been banned from matches for life and is being investigated by police after allegedly posting racist comments on Twitter.

Luke O'Donoughoe, 2provoked outcry from fellow Twitter users, including media pundit and former Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright, following a post on May 27th. His comment, which has now been deleted, was a response to the Canaries' signing of England under-21 striker James Vaughan from Everton.

The ban is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said the matter had now been referred to officers who are investigating any possible offence.

A club spokesman said that after an investigation it had stopped the fan from coming to the Carrow Road ground for life.

David McNally, club chief executive, said no form of racism is tolerated. He added: "We have a zero tolerance approach to racism and those comments are not acceptable."

Kick It Out, a national campaign for equality and inclusion in football, said it applauded "the proactive stance taken by the club".

Mark Bright tweeted in support of the club's decision, writing: "Thank u very much Norwich City, just taken a call from them telling me @ODonoughoe is banned from the club."

Mr O'Donoughoe, who held a season ticket for nine years until 2007, declined to comment. 

Before his account was deleted from Twitter he offered his apologies to Vaughan and wrote: "I know that some of the stuff I have said is wrong ... there are comments I should have thought about before I posted them."

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