Banning order for football fan who made ‘aeroplane gestures’ following death of Emiliano Sala

A football fan has received a Football Banning Order following an incident at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Reading fan Stuart Webb was witnessed making aeroplane gestures during the Cardiff City v Reading game on Friday, January 21 2020.

The gesture towards Cardiff City supporters related to the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash in January 2019.

Stuart Webb, from Torquay, was ejected from the ground by stadium staff and later notified that he was to be charged with a Public Order offence.

The 37-year-old admitted the offence and, on September 1, North and East Devon Magistrates’ Court issued a three-year Football Banning Order.

Pc Christian Evans, from South Wales Police, said: “The overwhelming majority of football fans are well-behaved 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 his three-year ban, Webb must not:
1) Go within the Madejski Stadium ground, or immediate area on any match days

2) Go within Reading Town Centre on any match days, between 3 hours before kick-off and 6 hours after kick off.

3) Go within 2 miles of any stadium or town/city centre where Reading Football Club are playing an away match, for a period of 3 hours before kick-off and 6 hours after kick off.

4) Attend any football matches involving Reading Football Club.,

Pc Evans added: “We work closely with Cardiff City Football Club and colleagues from other police forces to keep troublemakers away.”