Ex-Premier League referee demands 10-year ban after confirmed Newcastle United news
Keith Hackett has claimed the Newcastle United fan who made a Nazi gesture towards a Tottenham fan should have been handed a 10-year stadium ban.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted the three-year ban that Shay Asher has been handed is not enough of a punishment.
As relayed by Sky Sports on Tuesday (19 July) Asher, 24, has also been slapped with a £200 fine for making the gesture at St. James’ Park when Spurs beat Newcastle United 3-2 last year (17 October 2021).
It was the first game after the club’s controversial takeover by a Saudi-backed consortium.
“The three-year ban is now cropping up on a regular basis,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It seems to me, to be a step in the wrong direction by the football authorities. If that three-year ban is linked with intensive education.
“Whoever has done it has to attend six evenings, an induction, review, training and education then there might be some reasoning for that.
“It just seems like a three-year ban. Is that going to prevent others doing it? I don’t think it’s a deterrent.
“Sometimes these things happen and they don’t get to the fans. The news breaks, a decision is made and it’s all kept fairly insular rather than being used as an example and deterrent.
“For me, I think a 10-year ban is more along the right lines than a three-year ban.
“The problem is how are they going to police it? How do they know that person who has done it then doesn’t become a fan of another club?”
In other news, Leeds United have responded to Newcastle United’s formal Jack Harrison bid.