A POLICE chief today welcomed a three-year football banning order given to a fan for racist chanting and said work would continue to eradicate racism in the game.

Inspector Jeff Brown was match commander when Kenneth Morrow was arrested for making monkey noises towards Millwall player Paul Ifill.

Morrow, 27, of Brennand Street, Burnley, appeared at magistrates' court on Wednesday and was given a three-year football banning order after pleading guilty to making racially aggravated chants at Burnley's match against Millwall last month.

A second man, Michael Grundy, 27, of Lyndsay Street, pleaded not guilty to the same charge and will face trial next year.

Insp Brown said: "We were very pleased with the result on Mr Morrow. This type of behaviour is not acceptable.

"We will look for the support of all the public of Burnley in working to make sure we do not see further problems like this. This behaviour will not be tolerated."

Morrow's ban follows the unconnected case of two men at Blackburn Rovers' recent match against Birmingham City when former Rovers player Dwight Yorke was abused.

One of the two men accused, 22-year-old Jason Perryman from Chorley, pleaded guilty and was fined £1,000, banned from attending matches for five years and apologised to the player.

A second individual, David Ashcroft, 21 of Leyland, denied committing a racially aggravated public disorder offence and was bailed until December 22.

Three others were due to appear in court yesterday.

Racism at football grounds returned to the spotlight after black players Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermaine Jenas and Jermaine Defoe were racially abused during last month's England friendly against Spain in Madrid.