A FOOTBALL fan who shouted racist abuse at a Liverpool player during their clash at Manchester City has been banned from all matches for three years.

Andrew Dale, 36, of Crewe Road, aimed a ‘disgraceful’ slur at Glen Johnson from the stands as the player took a throw-in at the Etihad Stadium.

The comment referred to Johnson’s teammate Luis Suarez – the Uruguayan forward at the centre of the race-row involving United’s Patrice Evra.

Dale, a residential care worker, shouted a racial expletive just before half-time during the Premier League match on January 3.

He was not a City or Liverpool supporter but was sitting with friends in one of the home sections.

A court heard how shocked fans sitting nearby – including a man watching the game with his two children – were ‘shocked and appalled’ at the outburst.

A steward who also overheard the remark alerted police.

Dale was arrested and initially denied having done anything wrong. But he later pleaded guilty at Manchester magistrates’ court to a racially-aggravated public-order offence.

He was given a three-year football banning order and fined £400. The court was told Dale and his pals had been drinking before the game, which City won 3-0.

David O’Reilly, defending, said Dale was not a racist.

He added: "One thing is for certain, my client is extremely embarrassed and ashamed."

Mr O’Reilly added that Dale’s employers knew about the case, and he would keep his job as a care worker.

Saleem Hussain, chair of the bench, told Dale: "To hear these sort of words in the present climate is clearly going to shock, appall, upset and disgust all of us and you know that full well."