A STUDENT who pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred on social network Twitter has been jailed for 56 days.
Liam Stacey, 21, a second-year biology student at Swansea University, posted the comments after Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during Bolton’s FA Cup tie against Spurs at White Heart Lane.
"It's always something I've had a keen interest in - coaching and passing on advice to younger players.”
A district judge in Swansea called the comments "vile and abhorrent".
The sentence sends out a message to idiots who use social networks to vent their moronic abuse, falsely believing that comments made online are somehow beyond the law.
Bolton lost the re-arranged fixture against Spurs in London last night after second half goals from Ryan Nelson, Gareth Bale and Louis Saha knocked the Lancashire club out of the FA Cup.
Kevin Davies got a late goal for Wanderers after converting Ivan Klasnic’s cross, but it turned out to be a consolatory contribution to a 3-1 defeat.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle admitted that the evening had been emotional, but thanked Spurs for their support.
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed he has begun coaching.
In an interview he gave to BBC Scotland’s Sportscene, Fletcher said he is not ready to return to training yet, but has been coaching United’s reserves.
He said: "It's always something I've had a keen interest in - coaching and passing on advice to younger players who are at an important level at Manchester United in the reserves.”
The 27-year-old, who has taken an extended break from playing following medical advice regarding his bowel condition, could be taking the first steps towards his future in football.
However, United, who returned to the top of the Premier League on Monday with a 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford, will be hoping Fletcher is be able to get fit in time for next season.
"I'm feeling okay,” said Fletcher. “I'm still not ready to come back playing or training yet but I'm listening to the medical people and trying to get myself right.”
Man Utd's Darren Fletcher has been coaching the reserves
Oldham Athletic suffered a home defeat at the hands of relegation strugglers Leyton Orient at Boundary Park last night, after David Mooney’s goal gave the visitors a 1-0 win.
Reuben Reid forced a good save out of Orient keeper Paul Rachubka in the first half, but the Latics couldn’t find an equaliser after falling behind despite playing the final ten minutes with a one-man advantage - Ryan Dickson being dismissed for two bookable offences.
And finally, Lancashire bowled out the MMC for 265 on the first day of their County Championship match in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Durham all-rounder Ian Blackwell hit an unbeaten 103 before trapping Stephen Moore lbw for the MCC, as the reigning county champions closed on 38-2 in their first competitive game of 2012.
You can follow David on Twitter @DavidPMcCourt
