Man Utd fan who threw flare onto Brighton pitch has banning order extended

A Manchester United supporter who appealed against a three year banning order had it extended to five years.

Adam Chisnell, 38, was spotted on CCTV lighting a flare in the away end at Brighton's Amex Community Stadium in May this year. Then at full-time, after Brighton won the match 4-0, he was seen approaching the playing area, where he lit a second device and threw it onto the pitch.

Chisnell, of Warrington, Cheshire, was arrested and charged with possessing a firework or flare at a sporting event, and throwing a missile onto the football playing area. He was found guilty of both charges at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

The court imposed a fined of £184.50, costs of £85 and a £34 surcharge.

Chisnell was also hit with a three-year Football Banning Order which restricts his access to attending matches or being in the location of matches. He appealed against his conviction, but the appeal was rejected by Lewes Crown Court.

Chisnell was told that as a result of his appeal, his football banning order was to be extended by a further two years, and a further £60 fine was also imposed.

Now, he will not be able to watch a live match until 2027, and will have to hand his passport to police when England play international matches abroad.

PC Darren Balkham, Sussex Police’s Dedicated Football Officer, said it had been a costly venture for Chisnell.

PC Balkham said: “This was not just a moment of madness. There were two incidents of not only having the devices in the stadium, but igniting them.

“It meant people nearby had to move away because of the smoke, while and then the second one was thrown onto the playing area.

“For Chisnell, this has proved a costly venture, and he now has no prospect of watching football until 2027."

He added: “We support the Premier Leagues approach in dealing with these incidents and will prosecute where the evidence supports this action.”