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Fine for QPR fan who racially abused Ian Wright but no banning order

Queen's Park Rangers supporter Terrence Edward Argyle who racially abused former Arsenal star Ian Wright was ordered to pay £485 but escaped a football banning order. Argyle, 43, from Hayes, West London, called Wright a "black c***" as they watched the Lonson team play Manchester City in the Carling Cup at Loftus Road on October 28 last year.

The abuse came after Wright celebrated his son Shaun Wright-Phillips's goal for City from his seat in the directors' box close to QPR fans.

Prosecutor Caroline Hughes told West London Magistrates Court today there was a verbal exchange between Wright and Argyle after the goal.

She said: "Argyle started shouting at Ian Wright. Ian Wright asked him 'What's up?' He said 'Is that the best you have got? You blanked me, you black b*****d.'

"He then threw a programme at Ian Wright. He also called Ian Wright a 'black c***'."

Argyle, a self-employed builder, was restrained by security staff. He later admitted to police that he racially abused Wright but said the discarded programme had not been aimed at the former England striker.

Ordering Argyle to pay a £400 fine plus £85 costs, District Judge Andrew Sweet said it was not appropriate to impose a football banning order.

Speaking after the case, Inspector Philip Chatwin, of the Hammersmith and Fulham police football unit, told the press: "Anything that is racially aggravated is taken particularly seriously and it is really only by showing general football supporters how unacceptable it is that we will be able to decrease the levels of racism within football stadiums."

May 27, 2004