A Norwich City supporter who has been attending matches at Carrow Road for 60 years has escaped a football banning order despite making a racist comment towards an opposition player.

David Harper, 73, referred to Leicester City captain Hamza Choudhury, who is of mixed Bengali and Caribbean descent, by his skin colour after getting frustrated he was taking too long to leave the pitch when he was substituted.

His shout was overheard by an off duty police officer and another supporter who reported it to stewards during the match on September 20 last year.

Eastern Daily Press: David Harper was fined and avoided having a football banning order imposed at Norwich Magistrates' CourtDavid Harper was fined and avoided having a football banning order imposed at Norwich Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told the Leicester right back was taken off by the away side in the 78th minute of the 2-0 Norwich defeat when the score line was still 1-0. 

Sarah Fiddy, prosecuting, said: “During the substitution he became frustrated that the player was in his view not leaving the pitch quick enough. 

“When he was later interviewed by police he admitted making the comment but attempted to play it down.”

Harper, who has been a season ticket holder since they were first introduced, attended the next home match against Birmingham but was escorted out after being recognised by stewards, the court heard. 

He was subsequently banned by the club for three years but this was later reduced to three months after he attended a Kick It Out anti-racism education course.

Harper, of Hemblington, near Blofield, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment. 

Eastern Daily Press: The racist remark came when Leicester City player Hamza Choudhury was substituted during 2-0 Norwich defeatThe racist remark came when Leicester City player Hamza Choudhury was substituted during 2-0 Norwich defeat (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd))

James Landles, mitigating, said he had made the racist remark once in “the atmosphere of a charged football match” and that the player would not have heard it as Harper was sitting in the upper tier of the stand.

“He has done everything in his power to put things right. I would differentiate this case from someone who is repeatedly intent on causing racist offence,” he said.

Magistrates fined him £111 and ordered he pay costs of £149 but refused a prosecution application for a football banning order.

“We feel you have shown genuine remorse and are of previous good character and have attended matches for 60 years without incident,” they told him.