Abusive fan banned

A football fan who racially abused Ebbsfleet United keeper Nathan Ashmore has been banned by the club and fined by magistrates.

Eastleigh FC supporter Martin Lombardi shouted foul language at the shot-stopper during a National League match in April and was reported to police over the matter by incensed fans who witnessed the incident.

Officers arrested Lombardi, 59, and charged him with using threatening words, behaviour or language to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He appeared before magistrates in Southampton and pleaded guilty.

The court heard Mr Ashmore came in for the abuse during Eastleigh FC’s 1-0 loss to Ebbsfleet last season.

Lombardi, of Southampton, has also been banned from attending Eastleigh FC fixtures.

Magistrates fined Lombardi £650 and ordered he pay £600 compensation to the goalkeeper.

Ashmore was the target of more abuse during Saturday’s National League clash with Boreham Wood. He confronted the fans responsible and the club has since apologised.