A SAINTS fan, banned from football grounds over racist chanting, should be allowed back to matches only if he undertakes re-education, say campaigners.

Kick It Out has welcomed Steven Candy’s ban from stadiums across the UK and abroad after he was found guilty of shouting racist abuse at St Mary’s.

The 44-year-old targeted the club’s Chinese owners and travelling Chelsea fans during a Premier League game last October.

On Tuesday, he was given a three-year banning order.

Kick It Out, an organisation campaigning to end discrimination throughout the football pyramid, says Candy should only be allowed back to matches if he attends education sessions on the issues of racism.

A spokesperson said: “We would like to see the offender complete mandatory education on this issue as part of his rehabilitation, before he is allowed to begin attending matches again.

“This is one way of ensuring no repeat of this behaviour.”

As previously reported in the Echo, season ticket holder Candy aimed racial abuse at Saints owner Gao Jisheng during the club’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in October.

Daily Echo:

The 44-year-old, who was sitting in the Northam End, also targeted away fans using derogatory terms towards supporters of both Polish and Pakistani backgrounds.

Fellow Saints supporters reported Candy to the club and officials forwarded the complaints to the police.

One witness said: “I think the club need to be aware of unacceptable behaviour that is becoming intolerable from one alleged supporter in particular.

“He was shouting abusive and racist comments particularly aimed at people from Poland, Pakistan and China – the owner in particular.

“It could have become violent as his racist comments triggered some heated exchanges.”

A police investigation resulted in Candy being suspended by the club.

Candy was subsequently charged and brought before the court where he subsequently pleaded guilty to racially aggravated abuse. As well as a banning order, Candy was fined £230.

Julie Macey, senior lawyer of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Steven Candy crossed the line between what could be considered ‘normal football chants’ to shouting racist abuse, shocking more than one fan around him.

Daily Echo:

“Law-abiding football supporters and families should never be subject to hearing such abuse being shouted.”

A spokesperson for Southampton FC said: “We work tirelessly with Hampshire Constabulary, anti-discrimination organisations and footballing bodies to eradicate any form of discriminatory behaviour.

"Our aim is to keep St Mary’s a welcoming, family-friendly stadium where fans come to enjoy watching football, regardless of their age, disability, gender, race or sexual orientation.

"As part of this, the club launched a text number to make it easy for supporters to report any rare instances of discrimination or abuse that they may witness in the stadium or at an away match.

“If a supporter wishes to report anything they see or hear at a game, simply text ONEMARCH to 60060 with a description of what you’ve witnessed and your location so we can tackle it appropriately and discreetly.”