Southport woman handed football banning order for racist abuse during Everton match

16th February 2022

A Southport woman has been handed a three-year football banning order for hurling racist abuse at Goodison Park.

Deanna Franklin, 43, of Bath Street North, admitted using a racist slur towards Burnley’s Dwight McNeil on September 13, when hosted by Everton at Goodison Park.

While Franklin apologised to the court, she denied being racist, suggesting: “I have mixed-race friends.”

Franklin was challenged at the game by supporters and later reported to Everton, who have since cancelled her season ticket.

A witness statement read: “During half time I was really unhappy about it and I reported it to one of the stewards.

“They then took her out at halftime.

“This behaviour is wrong. I did not want to hear it and I did not want to hear it used in front of my son.”

Franklin was also slapped with a £180 fine.