A FOOTBALL fan who had watched his team play at Brunton Park was seen charging towards Carlisle United fans in the city centre and yelling abuse.

When police arrested and interviewed him, 31-year-old Derby County fan Kyle Ali said he had been reacting a Carlisle fan who had subjected him to racial abuse, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.

The defendant admitted using threatening behaviour.

George Shelley, prosecuting, said the incident happened on September 23 in The Crescent, Carlisle, after Carlisle played Derby County.

At 5.25pm, police noticed that there was an altercation underway involving football fans outside a bar in The Crescent in the city centre. “Mr Ali was identified as  Derby County fan and seen running towards Carlisle fans.

“Police intervened, pushing him back and telling him to go on his way,” said the prosecutor.

It was at this point that the defendant called one fan in particular an idiot and yelled an obscenity at him while pointing.

Mr Shelley said: “When he was interviewed, he said he was guilty of the offence.

“He said he was walking towards Carlisle train station following the match when he heard a racial slur and started shouting and swearing back.”

Mr Shelley said that children were in the vicinity when the alternation was happening.

Andrew Gurney, defending, said the defendant, from Brampton Drive, Nottingham, was remorseful, but the lawyer added: “He was essentially the victim of some horrendous racial abuse and lost his temper.

“He shouted abuse back. There was quite a bit of provocation, so he shouted back after receiving what was – in my view horrid – horrid racial abuse.”

Magistrates fined Ali £80, with £85 costs ad a £2 victim surcharge. He will have to return to court when magistrates consider whether he should be the subject of a three year football banning order, with a minimum three year term.

When told this may happen, Ali commented: “It seems a bit harsh.”