A FOUR year football banning order has been handed to a Dalston man who yelled a racial slur at a match official during a Carlisle United game.

Christopher Rogerson, 39, pleaded not guilty to using racially aggravated abusive words and behaviour towards an assistant referee during Carlisle's game at Brunton Park against Oxford United in January.

He was found guilty after a trial.

Rogerson, of Madam Banks Road, Dalston, was fined £922 and told to pay costs of £650 and a victim surcharge of £368. A four year banning order will prevent him from going to all regulated football matches for that period.

The trial heard that Rogerson was sitting in the Andrew Jenkins Stand at Brunton Park when he shouted a racial slur towards an official during the match.

After the case, Chief Inspector Kim Brown, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “There is never an excuse for a person to be subjected to racial abuse and we are pleased that Rogerson has been held accountable for his actions.

“We work closely with Carlisle United to ensure that supporters attending matches can enjoy them in a safe environment.

"The emotion of a football match does not constitute any sort of reason to racially abuse any individual and commit criminal offences.

“Like in this case, we will take action to ensure those who commit crimes at football matches are held accountable and do all we can to put them before the courts.”

* For a full and comprehensive report of the court hearing, see newsandstar.co.uk tomorrow.