Fan banned after racist Didier Drogba abuse

A football fan has been given a three-year stadium ban for racially abusing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Stephen Fitzwater, 55, was heard making a racially offensive remark directed at the Ivory Coast international during Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham last month.

Fitzwater, who was standing in Chelsea's allotted section of Wembley, admitted racially aggravated abuse at Hendon Magistrates' Court in North-West London on Monday having been reported by fellow fans who had taken offence to the comments.

A Chelsea spokesman said: "Chelsea Football Club and the overwhelming majority of our fans abhor all forms of discrimination and believe they have no place in our club or our communities.

"We will be taking the strongest possible action against this individual, who has received a football banning order along with a lifetime ban from Chelsea Football Club.

"We would like to thank Chelsea fans for reporting this incident and others which occurred during the semi-final, as a result of which a number of persons have been banned for using racial and abusive language."

Drogba scored the opening goal in Chelsea's eventual 5-1 victory over Spurs, setting up an FA Cup final against Liverpool this Saturday.