Chelsea fan Fabien Richardson, 21, has been found guilty of religiously aggravated harassment after making Nazi salutes at Tottenham fans during a game in May

A Chelsea season ticket holder who made 13 Nazi salutes at Spurs fans in just 15 minutes claimed he was just waving to his mates, a court heard on Thursday.

Fabien Richardson, 21, was caught raising his arm with a straightened hand towards rival supporters in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in May.

The game, a feisty encounter christened the 'Battle of the Bridge' after both clubs were charged for failing to control their players following a string of on-the-field clashes, handed Leicester an unlikely Premier league title as Spurs needed to win the game to prolong the championship race.

Richardson was caught after an image of him doing the salute was posted on a ‘Kick it Out’ forum, Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard.

Kick it Out are a charity combating racism and discrimination in sport.

Richardson claimed he did not know what the salute meant, adding: ‘I’m not a racist, I was just an idiot.’

Robert Simpson, prosecuting, said: ‘It was the Chelsea Tottenham game, and the defendant was seen by members of the public doing a Nazi salute towards the Tottenham fans.

‘A photograph was placed on a forum of Kick It Out, and he was identified by Chelsea football club.

Tottenham and Chelsea played out a fiesty affair in May that ultimately ended Spurs' title bid

Tottenham had a record nine players booked during the game at Stamford Bridge

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‘He had his arm out at a 90 degree angle in a Nazi salute.

‘He did this 13 times in 15 minutes.

‘Asked in interview by police he said he didn’t know what it was, and asked if he had seen it in war films he said he didn’t think so.

THE BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham, Stamford Bridge, May 2 - Tottenham became the first Premier League team ever to have nine players booked in a single game - Guus Hiddink was knocked down during brawl near the tunnel - Mousa Dembele was handed six game suspension for violent conduct after eye-gouge on Diego Costa - Chelsea were fined £375,000 and Spurs were fined £225,000 by the FA for failing to control their players Advertisement

‘He told them he was waving to friends but couldn’t name any.’

Richardson admitted religiously aggravated harassment, but told the court he didn’t know what the salute meant, and had no idea Spurs were linked to the Jewish faith.

He said: ‘I didn’t know at the time what it meant, now I’ve researched it I do.

‘Everyone was doing it, so I thought I would do it. I’m not a racist, I was just an idiot.’

His season ticket was suspended as a result of the incident.

District Judge Mike Snow handed Richardson a three year football banning order, meaning he cannot attend any football matches in the UK, and must surrender his passport for England away games.

He said: ‘You didn’t grow up during the dark period of football in the 70s and 80s.

‘During that time football matches were marred by abusive violence and language.

‘We can’t slip back into that period.

‘You and I both know that Tottenham and Chelsea is one of the feistiest matches of the season.

‘We both know, in reality, that Tottenham is a club associated with the Jewish faith.

‘You and I both know those fans are regularly the subject of abuse based on that presumption.’