Man who racially abused footballer Ivan Toney banned from all UK stadiums for three years in 'landmark ruling'

A man who racially abused Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been banned from every football stadium in the UK for three years - in what police say is a "landmark ruling".

Antonio Neill, 24, sent a racist message to Toney on his Instagram account after the forward scored two goals against Brighton in a Premier League match in October.

Police traced the message to Neill, from North Shields, after Toney shared a picture of the abuse.

The ban covers clubs in the Premier League, the Championship, Leagues One and Two and the National League, as well as England home internationals, qualifying matches and tournaments played overseas.

Neill pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message when he appeared before magistrates in Newcastle on 25 January.

He has now been handed a four-month suspended sentence in addition to the three-year banning order.

The order is the first to be issued under a government act which became law last year under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.