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World Cup: English fan receives five-year ban for Nazi salute in Russia

One of the men in the viral video of England fans singing anti-semitic songs and performing Nazi salutes at a Russian bar before a World Cup match has been sentenced in Leicester.

Michael Herbert, 57, was handed a five-year ban by the Leicester Magistrates Court while two others captured on film will learn their fate on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in Volgograd — formerly Stalingrad — ahead of England’s opening match against Tunisia last week and it’s only the latest in a series of bigoted acts observed at the World Cup. In a separate event on June 17 near Moscow, a 25-year-old England fan was seen giving a Nazi salute and was subsequently given a three-year ban. Mexico supporters have also received punishment for an anti-gay chant during its victory over Germany, and soccer legend Diego Maradona was heavily criticized for making a racist gesture towards a young fan ahead of Argentina’s opening match with Iceland.

The British government is taking action against three fans who made anti-semitic gestures at the World Cup. (Via the Telegraph)
The British government is taking action against three fans who made anti-semitic gestures at the World Cup. (Via the Telegraph)

In the United Kingdom, soccer fans can be prosecuted under the Football Spectators Act 1989, which has sought to curb hooliganism within England and Wales as well as at international matches.

Fans can face bans of multiple years which keep them from the areas around stadiums on game days while also blocking international travel to cities where national clubs are playing.

The latest bans follow condemnations from fans, media and the English Football Association alike.

England continued its blistering start at the World Cup on Sunday with a 6-1 victory over Panama to move into a tie with Belgium atop Group G.

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Blake Schuster is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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