Avery was fined £800 and given a three-year football banning order for making gestures on social media that were deemed to reference the Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final. His defense lawyer, Ian Huggan, described Avery as a “family man”. Avery himself expressed remorse at the Manchester Magistrates’ Court, stating, “I just want to reiterate that I’m just deeply sorry and I really regret what I did.
I’m ashamed and embarrassed. It’s just a difficult situation. I wish it never would have happened.
I regret it terribly. I hope other people look on what’s happened to me and think twice before they do anything at football games.” In addition to the £800 fine, Avery has been ordered to pay a £320 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.
He has also been mandated to surrender his passport to the police station when certain games are being played outside of the UK.
