Millers fans banned over "obnoxious" train antics after Manchester City FA Cup clash

THREE Millers fans have been banned from matches for offensive chants and making Madeleine McCann references on a train.

Intoxicated Michael Blease, Thomas Luty and Ben Pankovics swore at passengers and police on the service after the FA Cup tie at Manchester City.

Blease also made a lewd comment to an officer on the January 6 Sheffield-bound train, British Transport Police said.

All three admitted threatening behaviour and were sentenced at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.

Pankovics (28), of Hewitt Street in Doncaster, and Luty (23), of Redshank Road, Wath, were both fined £510.

Blease (18), of Greystones Road in Whiston, was fined £315 and all three were banned from attending any football matches for three years.

Investigating officer PC Chris Neely, of BTP, said: “Their behaviour was obnoxious, abusive towards officers and a pain for other passengers, who had the reasonable expectation of getting to their destination in peace.

“As is always the case, these men were the minority and the vast of majority of fans travelled in good spirits and were a pleasure to engage with.

“I’m glad the courts saw fit to impose this banning order. It’s another step in our joint work with football clubs to ensure that the minority of fans are aware this behaviour is never tolerated.”

Officers on board had warned the men about their behaviour several times before taking their details.

They later apologised during interviews, BTP revealed — with Pankovics admitting: “I feel a bit daft.”