Racist Liverpool supporter found guilty of making monkey gestures at Man U star Evra

London, June 23(ANI): A Liverpool supporter has been found guilty of making monkey gestures at Manchester United left back Patrice Evra during FA Cup clash, and has been banned from attending matches for four years.

58-year old Phil Gannon was found guilty of two counts of using abusive or insulting words after his actions were captured on live television, The Daily Mail reports.

Gannon was also accused of launching racist abuse at Evra during the game, which was the first between the Premier League rivals since an eight-match ban was imposed on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the Football Association had found him guilty of racially abusing the French star.

One trial witness also told the court that he heard Gannon say towards Evra in French: 'Tu es petit noir homme merde' , which in English translates as 'You little black s*** man'.

Gannon, a carpenter by profession, repeatedly shouted abuse including 'pikey b*******' at opposing fans throughout the game, the court heard.

He also shouted: 'F*** off you spastic mutants' in the direction of disabled supporters watching the game nearby, a witness said.

The court heard the offences were racially aggravated, despite Gannon's claims that the 'monkey' gesture was a reference to 'cavemen' and that he never abused Evra in French. (ANI)