Manchester United fan hit by 10-year match ban

A Manchester United fan has been banned from all UK football matches for 10 years and jailed for nine months for causing a disturbance before a Champions League game in Glasgow.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Apr 2011, 07:00 BST

Matthew Bolton was given one of the longest football orders issued by a Scottish court for a breach of the peace before the Rangers v Manchester United Champions League match at Ibrox stadium in November.

He admitted the charge at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

Bolton, 26, from Rowley Regis, West Midlands, admitted breaching the peace by breaking through a cordon of police officers and police horses to get to some Rangers fans.

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A Crown Office spokesman said he had a number of previous convictions from English courts for football-related disorder.

Area procurator fiscal for Glasgow Lesley Thomson said: “Disorderly conduct and violence at football matches will not be tolerated. Any conduct of this nature will be robustly investigated and the perpetrators dealt with accordingly.

“If they plead or are found guilty, the Crown will advise the court of its power to impose Football Banning Orders for such offences.”

Ms Thomson also told Bolton: “Prosecutors will continue to work with the police to take whatever measures are necessary to protect genuine fans from criminal behaviour while attending football matches.”