A FOOTBALL fan has pleaded guilty to racially abusing soccer star Dwight Yorke.

Jason Perryman, 22, of Lawson Street, Chorley, admitted racially aggravated disorderly behaviour following an incident at the Premiership clash between Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City at Ewood Park, on Sunday.

But David Ashcroft, 21, of Leyland, has denied the same offence. His case has been adjourned for a pre-trial review on December 22.

David Macro, prosecuting, at Blackburn magistrates court, said the entire incident had been captured on TV cameras. He told the court Perryman was imitating monkey movements with his arms and making "ooh ooh ooh' noises.

He said: "The offence is made all the worse in view of recent events at the England v Spain match which was the subject of intense media interest last week when there was similar chanting and a great deal of it was directed at England players.

"Mr Yorke is of West Indian origin and he was greatly upset by this incident. "

Mr Macro said Perryman was ejected from the ground by stewards following the incident.

He added: "We are all aware of the campaign to kick racism out of football and it is a great shame that Perryman appears before you in these circumstances."

Perryman was being sentenced later today. Mr Macro invited magistrates to impose a football banning order which could be for a maximum of five years or a minimum of three.

Michael Singleton defending, said his client was deeply ashamed and wished to publicly apologise to both Dwight Yorke and John Williams, Chief Executive of Blackburn Rovers, for the distress caused to the player and to Blackburn Rovers for the shame he had brought on the club that he holds dearly.

He said: "It has taken considerable courage for this young man to take the steps that he has. He has tried to do everything within his power to put things right and if he could turn back the clock things would be different.

"I am instructed not to oppose the application for a football banning order."

Mr Singleton said there had been considerable banter directed at Mr Yorke and being an ex-Blackburn player he had expected that.

He added: "My client accepts that he took matters further and beyond to a level that was totally unacceptable."

He said when Perryman became aware of the situation he contacted police and made arrangements to surrender himself.

The court also heard that Perryman planned to personally apologise to Dwight Yorke by letter.