Fan banned after Sala ‘aeroplane’ match taunt

A FAN has received a football banning order after making aeroplane gestures during a game at Cardiff City Stadium in a reference to Emiliano Sala, police said.

Reading fan Stuart Webb, 37, made the “inflammatory” gesture towards Cardiff City supporters during a game on January 21 this year, according to South Wales Police.

The force said Webb’s actions, made during the Cardiff City v Reading match, related to the death of 28-year-old striker Sala in a plane crash in January 2019.

Webb, from Torquay, Devon, was ejected from the ground by stadium staff and later notified that he would be charged with a public order offence.

South Wales Police said Webb admitted the offence and was handed a three-year football banning order at North and East Devon Magistrates Court on September 1.

Pc Christian Evans, from the force, said: “The overwhelming majority of football fans are wellbehaved and respectful to one another. Webb’s inflammatory gesture caused a great deal of distress to many people still grieving the death of Emiliano Sala.

“Hopefully this court result sends a clear message that similar behaviour will not be tolerated at matches.”

As part of the three-year ban, Webb must not go within Reading’s Madejski Stadium or immediate area on any match days.

He is prohibited on going to Reading town centre on any match days, between three hours before kick-off and six hours after.

South Wales Police said the order also banned Webb from attending any football matches involving Reading Football Club.