Fan found guilty
A man was found guilty of racially abusing two Premier League footballers in front of his wife, children and grandson by a London court on Monday.
Everton supporter William Blything shouted the racist abuse at Queens Park Rangers' South Korean star Park Ji-Sung and Everton forward Victor Anichebe during a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road on October 21.
Blything, of Moss Pits Lane in Wavertree, Liverpool, denied a single count of racially-aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress but was found guilty at West London Magistrates' Court.
However, District Judge Jeremy Coleman said Blything would not face a custodial penalty when he is sentenced on February 11.
The judge said: "If the players had heard these comments - and there is no evidence that they did - it would have caused them upset."
The 42-year-old Blything was arrested after he was reported to stewards by two fellow Everton fans as he watched the game with his wife, 16-year-old daughter, 11-year-old son and three-year-old grandson.
Giving evidence in court on Monday, Everton supporter Neil Jordan said he was "outraged" by the abuse and tweeted a picture of Blything, before reporting him to stewards.
Jordan said he first noticed Blything as he made one of his children cry by telling him to "man up" when QPR scored a goal.
Jordan said: "There was clearly some intent to target that player because, in my opinion, of the colour of his skin, coupled with general agitation and abuse aimed at the home end and abuse towards another opposition player."
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