Newcastle fan punishment detailed after mocking Munich Air Disaster

A Newcastle United fan has been banned from football games for three years after admitting to making offensive comments about the Munich Air Disaster following a game against Manchester City.

James Blake, 42, approached a YouTuber before The Magpies beat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on September 27.

The self-employed painter, who appeared to be with his children, would go on to say, “How? What about Man United? Air disasters, air disasters.” A child, who was not related to Blake, then joined in.

23 people died in the Munich Air Disaster, including eight Manchester United players. Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the survivors, died in October at age 86.

Read More: Munich Air Disaster – Remembering who Manchester United lost 65 years on

Blake appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court to challenge a banning order application, but it was imposed by the bench.

Magistrates fined him £400 and ordered him to pay £620 costs and a £160 surcharge after admitting a public order offence. Blake said that he would pay the total amount immediately.

Dave Parish, who was defending Blake, said: “He is ashamed, remorseful and frankly disgusted with his behaviour.”

The solicitor said that Blake was “highly intoxicated” after drinking with Manchester City fans before the game, where he added Blake “picked up” some of what the opposition fans were singing about.

As a result of being arrested, Blake also had his Newcastle season ticket suspended.

Superintendent Paul Walters, of Northumbria Police, said:

“This kind of hateful speech has absolutely no place in our communities or online, and we know this kind of behaviour isn’t representative of the overwhelming majority of football fans.

“Many of you will have seen the original video circulating, and we would like to thank those of you who reported it to us in the first instance and allowed us to act.

“I am therefore pleased that the seriousness of James Blake’s offence has been recognised by the courts and I am grateful for the restrictions which are now stringently placed on him.”