A man has pleaded guilty after he wore an offensive shirt about the Hillsborough disaster to the FA Cup final.

James White, 33, of Warwickshire, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The shirt referred to the Hillsborough disaster, where 97 fans died at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield in 1989.

The fans died as a result of a crush at a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.

They were unlawfully killed amid a number of police errors, an inquest jury ruled in 2016.

The FA previously said in a statement: ‘The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

‘We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator.

‘Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.

‘We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators.’

Prosecutor Katie Weiss told the court ‘On Saturday 3 June there was an FA cup game against Manchester United and Manchester City, the defendant was seen wearing a Manchester United shirt with ‘Not Enough, 97’ written on the back.

‘This seemed to be in reference to the Hillsborough Disaster which claimed the lives of 97 football fans.’

Images of the sick shirt were circulated on social media before White was arrested for a public order offence the next day.

‘White was questioned by the police and said: ‘You haven’t asked what the t-shirt means. My grandad died at age 97 and he didn’t have enough kids.’

Wearing a checked three-piece suit and a white shirt White admitted one count of displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm, and distress at Willesden Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined £1,000 and banned from attending football matches for four years.

District Judge Mark Jabbitt told White, who has tattoos on his neck and face: ‘You attended the FA cup final of Manchester United vs Manchester City on 3 June, a high-profile football event.

‘And there you were, wearing a Manchester United football shirt with ’97 Not Enough’ written on the back…it’s hard to imagine a more painful or offensive message to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

‘I will suggest to you the impact is profound and distressing. Why you would display, a carefully printed top when Manchester United was playing Manchester City, it’s hard to understand.’

White, of Stockton, Warwickshire, was fined £1,000 and handed a four-year football ban prohibiting him from attending all regulated matches in the UK.

He must also pay £85 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £400.

Manchester United lost the Manchester Derby on Sunday 2-1 to their rivals Manchester City at the FA Cup final on 3 June.

Social media posts show White photographed and chatting to ‘Britain First’ leader Paul Golding. Another image shows his son wearing a Babygro that says ‘Born to Love United, Hate Scousers.’

White has ‘many previous convictions’ with the most recent being from 2021 but no more details were given in court.

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