Football fan admits mocking Hillsborough disaster and death of West Brom fan


Sheffield Wednesday fan Richard Crisp, 55, mocked Mark Townsend's death and referenced the 97 victims of the 1989 disaster at the stadium.
Baggies season ticket holder Mark, 57, suffered a medical emergency in the away end during the team's Championship match on September 28 and died in hospital. He was in the Leppings Lane End of the stadium, where 97 Liverpool supporters were killed in a crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
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Hide AdIn a now-deleted post on X, Crisp wrote: "Another one to add to the Leppings Lane tally.
What are we at now, 98? When we get to 100, we'll have a party. Up the Owls." Crisp appeared before Sheffield Magistrates Court today (Monday, October 14) charged with sending communication of an indecent or grossly offensive nature.
Prosecutor Neil Coyne told the court: "This message referenced the Hillsborough disaster." Crisp, who was banned for life by the club, was charged by South Yorkshire Police with sending a communication or article of an indecent or offensive nature.
Wearing an all-grey suit with a blue tie and glasses, he spoke only to confirm his name, age, address and to enter a guilty plea during today's brief hearing.
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Hide AdHis defence barrister, Miss Brown, said: "This is a serious and unpleasant offence, which Mr Crisp was immensely remorseful for, particularly in the police station when interviewed."


He will appear before the court again on January 24 for sentencing. He was granted unconditional bail until then.
Sheffield Wednesday previously said in a statement: "Sheffield Wednesday can confirm a lifetime ban from all club activities and premises for the individual responsible for an abhorrent social media post.
"The post was relative to the tragic passing of West Bromwich Albion supporter Mark Townsend following a medical emergency at Hillsborough on Saturday. We condemn absolutely this outrageous behaviour and underline our zero tolerance policy towards unlawful activity on all social media platforms.
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Hide Ad"Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Mr Townsend and the wider West Bromwich Albion community at this incredibly difficult time."
A fundraiser set up in Mark's memory by a Sheffield Wednesday fan raised more than £2,000 for his family.
His death also prompted questions over the procedures at Hillsborough and his brother called for a full inquiry into the club's “failings” and “lack of safety protocols”.
Speaking to the BBC, Steve Townsend criticised the club for not pausing the match during the incident and claimed staff did not have sufficient training to handle the emergency.