A football fan has been banned and hit with a large fine after his actions at a match following concerns over a video circulating on social media.

During the FA Cup quarter final between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 17, Michael Bernard Avery, 44, from Manchester, was charged with Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986.

This was in addition to arrests and charges made to other supporters relating to pyrotechnics.

Avery pleaded guilty to the offence today, Monday, at court and received a three-year football banning order alongside costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £320, and a fine of £800, reduced due to an early guilty plea.

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This was after the specialist operational football investigation team carried out enquiries following a video of a man in the home section of the Old Trafford crowd making gestures that was shared widely on social media.

Chief Inspector Jamie Collins, of the specialist operations branch, said: “Following the understandable concern raised online following the video being shared of Avery’s actions, we undertook an investigation into this to ensure justice was brought.

“We are continuing to take a proactive action against those engaged in this type of behaviour, that is intent on causing distress to victims and supporters impacted by terrible football tragedies of the past.

“Any kind of gesture or comments in relation to tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and is totally unacceptable.”

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