Millwall fan's 5 year ban for Diouf race abuse

A Millwall fan who shouted racist abuse at Leeds and Senegal striker El-Hadji Diouf was on Wednesday banned from football matches for five years and fined. Gerrard Scanlon, 53, was arrested after Sky Sports News television broadcast footage which appeared to show some of the London club's supporters abusing Diouf. The delivery driver admitted in court on Wednesday that he had unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade and was fined £425. He was told to pay further costs of £85 and a £15 victim surcharge, London's Metropolitan Police said. Scanlon launched his abusive rant during an English second-tier Championship match at Millwall's Den ground in south-east London on November 18. Allegations of racism later appeared online before Sky aired the incriminating footage. Millwall Football Club said it was "appalled" by the clips, while captain Danny Shittu said he was "deeply saddened" by what he saw in the documentary. The club promised to ban any individuals for life if they were found guilty. It had barred Scanlon for life even before the criminal case, it said in a statement. "We are pleased that the behaviour of this individual came to notice, and that the police and the courts have now taken action against him," said a club statement issued Wednesday. Scanlon, from Enfield, north London, was accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates' Court. Millwall have long had a reputation among rival English clubs for violent and racist fans, although Lions officials have tried hard to rid the club of their unwanted supporters. And their statement Wednesday added: "Millwall Football Club will continue to operate a zero tolerance policy to target and ban any fan guilty of displaying racist behaviour, and we look forward to developing even closer links with other agencies, including those in the media who share our determination to eradicate racism from our game." From AFP