Outspoken fan is banned

The ban covers every ground in Britain

A Yorkshire football fan has been banned from every ground in England after he used the internet to criticise refereeing standards.

Goole FC fan Steve Jackson was accused of bringing football into disrepute when he posted remarks on an unofficial website.

Complaints were made to the Football Association (FA) after 32-year-old Mr Jackson said referees were making "consistently poor decision" at Goole's home fixtures.

Both Mr Jackson and the club were fined, but after an unsuccessful appeal, the FA said it would treat England star David Beckham the same way.

David Beckham would also face a ban say the FA

Staff and players at the east Yorkshire club are backing Mr Jackson, who was fined £100 by the West Riding County Football Association for his online outburst.

He said: "It's a bit off. I didn't set out to offend or upset anyone. I don't even produce the website anymore.

"I was reacting to a series of decisions by several referees which had a serious effect on the outcome of games.

"I made the comments in a match review and didn't say anything that hasn't been said after thousands of other games all over the country."

Officials from the Northern Counties East League complained after Mr Jackson's comments were subsequently reproduced in a Goole FC match programme.

The West Riding County FA fined Mr Jackson and also fined the club £500.

To date Mr Jackson has not paid his fine and therefore is suspended from attending games at any football ground.

John Riordan, West Riding County FA

The club paid up, but Mr Jackson claims he was not given a fair hearing.

"They just sent a letter saying I had been fined. I had no chance to put my side of the story."

John Riordan, of the West Riding County FA said: "As far as we are concerned we followed procedures correctly.

"We received a complaint, acted on that and issued the fines. To date Mr Jackson has not paid his fine and therefore is suspended from attending games at any football ground."

A spokesman for the Football Association in London said: "Mr Jackson and Goole FC appealed against the fines. The appeal was unsuccessful and as Mr Jackson has not paid his fine, he is effectively banned from grounds.

"Obviously there is a question of how this is policed. But it is a point of principle. We would treat David Beckham exactly the same way."

Goole FC director Tim Harness said: "Everyone at the club is supporting Steve. He didn't say anything that hasn't already been said by football commentators all over the country."