A Blackburn Rovers supporter has been convicted of making racist monkey chants during a Championship match against AFC Bournemouth in April 2022. Darren Livesey, 34, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, was found guilty at Burnley Magistrates' Court of indecent and racial chanting at a designated football match.
The court heard that Livesey directed monkey noises and chants at Bournemouth's attacking players on three separate occasions during the game at Ewood Park on 30 April 2022. The Bournemouth players targeted were of black ethnicity, though not named in court. Among the black players on the pitch were goalscorers Dominic Solanke and Philip Billing, as well as Jaidon Anthony, Jefferson Lerma, Jordan Zemura, Jamal Lowe, and Siriki Dembele.
Two witnesses reported Livesey to stewards, who monitored his behaviour. Dr Tamsin Redford also reported him to anti-racism charity Kick It Out after recognising him from Blackburn Rovers' social media. The charity alerted police, who arrested Livesey after reviewing stadium CCTV. Prosecutor Stephen Bottell stated that Livesey also booed when Blackburn players 'took the knee' in a gesture against racism.
Witness Dr Stephen Carni, a long-time attendee since 1975, said he was shocked, having not heard such chants for decades. Livesey pleaded not guilty, claiming he did not know what a monkey chant was and that his friend's nine-year-old child was seated next to him. However, District Judge Alexandra Preston found the prosecution witnesses consistent and the defence evidence inconsistent, convicting Livesey.
Judge Preston remarked: 'Football is a sport for the public to enjoy. Racism has no place in society and what you did is clearly racist.' Livesey was fined £454, ordered to pay £300 costs and a £34 victim surcharge, and banned from attending football matches for five years.
