Footie fan stripped of season ticket in three-year ban after sick taunt about Munich air crash

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A FOOTBALL fan was today banned from matches for three years for a sick taunt about the Munich air disaster which went viral.

Newcastle United supporter James Blake, 42, “photobombed” a YouTuber’s report at the club’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City in September.

 04/01/2024 James Blake, who has been banned from attending matches for three years at North Tyneside Magistrates Court after he was caught on camera mocking Manchester United and victims of the Munich Air Disaster following Newcastle United's victory over Manchester City last year. See story North NewsA clip went viral of Newcastle United supporter James Blake making a sick taunt about the 1958 Munich air crash, in which eight Manchester United players diedNorth News & Pictures

Blake — who had been drinking heavily and was wearing a replica Newcastle shirt — yelled: “Hello! What about Man United, eh? Air disasters, air disasters.”

Prosecutor Steven Davis said: “You will see a person address the camera when he is approached from behind by a man and a young child and he makes the comment.”

Eight Manchester United players were among 23 people who died in 1958 when a plane crashed during take-off in then-West Germany.

Painter and decorator Blake was stripped of his season ticket by Newcastle after his arrest.

Dave Parish, mitigating, said: “He is deeply remorseful and frankly ashamed by this behaviour.

“He accepts he was highly intoxicated at the time.”

Blake, of North Shields, admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at North Tyneside magistrates’ court.

He was fined £400, ordered to pay a total of £780 and banned for three years from all football matches in England and Wales.

 Monday February 5, 2018. Eight Manchester United players lost their lives as a result of the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958. A further 15 club officials and journalists were also killed in the tragedy. See PA story SOCCER Munich Victims. Photo credit should read PA Images/PA Wire.23 people died when a plane took off in then-West Germany, with eight of them being Manchester United playersPA
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