British Security Minister Lord Alan West called for a tougher sanction against a Newcastle fan convicted of racially abusing Middlesbrough striker Mido. Barry Hutchinson, 49, pleaded guilty to an offence of racist or obscene chanting during Newcastle's goalless draw at Middlesbrough last November. But he escaped a banning order and was just handed a £270 fine. "The magistrates' court decision is both disappointing and surprising," the minister was quoted as saying by Journal Live. Last month, Middlesbrough and English FA spokesmen expressed their dismay that the captured fan wasn't given a more disciplinary punishment. And now Admiral West, a security advisor to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, revealed that several parties consider making further inquiries about the matter. "The local Race Harassment Case Group, which is chaired by the Crown Prosecution Service and includes police, BME (black and minority ethnic) and Safer Community representatives from the local authorities, the North East Refugee Service and others, will review the case and take further action if appropriate." "The law is clear that a banning order should be imposed against a person convicted of a football- related offence." Ironically, Egypt striker Mido has been linked with a move to Newcastle in the January transfer window.
