AN ARDENT football fan is now banned from all FA and Football League matches for three years after his behaviour on the day of the England vs. Croatia match.

AN ARDENT football fan is now banned from all FA and Football League matches for three years after his behaviour on the day of the England vs. Croatia match.

Adam Crane, 25, of Sprowston Road in Norwich, admitted to threatening behaviour in Lloyds Avenue, Ipswich, before Ipswich magistrates yesterday .

John Hardwick, prosecuting, told South East Suffolk Magistrates Court that Crane had arrived in Ipswich with tickets for the match on the afternoon of August 20.

Crane, who had started drinking around 1pm, headed with friends to the Drum and Monkey pub.

After visiting other pubs as well, Crane and his friends attempted to enter the Hog's Head.

The Norwich fans had all been drinking heavily when they encountered Ipswich fans in Lloyds Avenue around 6pm.

When Crane pushed one of the fans, a policeman, fearing a fight, took Crane by the throat, moved him to a wall and placed him in handcuffs.

Mr Harwick added: "At that time of day, the incident had gone on in front of other people who had not been football fans and could have been distressed."

Diana Infanti, mitigating, said: "He [Crane] saw this large man coming up behind his friend. His friend was unaware. At that point he [Crane] believed that the man was going to attack his friend so he went and pushed the man.

"He has been a Norwich City supporter for 14 years and has been to most matches and there has never been any trouble.

"He has also been going to England matches for the past four years and there has never been trouble before."

Crane received a conditional discharge.

But he was ordered to pay £55 costs and has been banned from all FA and Football League matches for the next three years and during this period must not going within four miles of any Ipswich or England match.

If the England team plays outside England, Crane must also surrender his passport.

Alan Parris, 47, of Surrey Road, Ipswich and Simon Willett, 38, of Woodrush Road, Ipswich, have both denied charges of threatening behaviour in Lloyds Avenue, Ipswich on August 20.

A pre-trial review will take place on October 20 and the trial on December 5.