Dwight Yorke was playing for Birmingham against his former club

David Ashcroft, 22, waved two fingers and launched a barrage of swear words during a Blackburn v Birmingham match.

Ashcroft, an installation engineer from Leyland, pleaded guilty to a public order offence at Blackburn Magistrates.

He is the fifth man to receive a banning order after the incident at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on 21 November.

Five-year ban

He was given a three-year football banning order and fined �200 on Wednesday.

Ashcroft, of Brantwood Drive, who was also told to pay �80 costs, was originally charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence, but the racially aggravated elements were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Last year, 35-year-old Shaun Baxter, 19-year-old Andrew Roberts and 20-year-old Brian Hargreaves, all from Blackburn, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated public order offences and were banned from football for five years.

Jason Perryman, 22, from Chorley, was banned for four years after admitting the same offence.

The incident happened about 15 minutes into the second half of the game, when Birmingham substitute and former Blackburn player Yorke, who has since moved to Australian A-League side Sydney FC, started warming up on the sidelines.

Hurling abuse

As the striker ran towards a section of the Blackburn fans, members of the crowd began making monkey sounds and gestures and hurling abuse.

Prosecutor Eddie Harrison said Yorke walked over to the stand and spoke to Perryman, causing other supporters to join in with the chants.

Ashcroft moved to the front of the stand, joined in the conversation with the footballer and began swearing and gesticulating in his direction.

Realising the extent of the media coverage which followed the incident, Ashcroft handed himself in to police.

When interviewed, he told them his behaviour had been stupid and disgraceful and was down to the fact he had been drinking before the match.