TWO Burnley fans who joined in racist chanting have been banned from all football matches for three years.

The ban, which includes Premiership, Nationwide and international matches, was imposed by Bradford magistrates on Leon Carlile, 27, of Greens Lane Helmshore, and Leighton Bannister, 26, of Carr Road, Colne.

Both pleaded guilty to racist chanting at a football match, and were also fined £100 with £40 costs. Nicola Phillipson, prosecuting, said the offences were committed last Sunday during Burnley's match against Bradford City at Valley Parade.

A police officer at the top of the stand containing visiting supporters saw the defendants stand, turn towards the Bradford fans and shout abuse.

John Kelly, defending, said both men were lifelong Burnley supporters who had never been arrested at a match before. They did not regard themselves as racist, and abhorred racism.

They were among 1,500 to 1,700 Burnley fans who were all singing the same chant. They were the only two arrested as they were immediately in front of the police officer.

"They were prevented from seeing the game, which was an excellent one from their point of view because Burnley won," said Mr Kelly. "They accept that the chant was inappropriate, but they are not football yobs. They are not football hooligans."

Three other Burnley fans arrested the same day also appeared. A charge of being drunk inside a sports ground was withdrawn against Martin Walsh, 21, of Napier Street, Nelson, and Kevin Hindle, 37, of Stanley Street, Oswaldtwistle, after they agreed to be bound over in £100 for a year.

Peter Heaton, 20, of Whitehall Street, Nelson, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a club steward but admitted resisting a police officer. His case was adjourned until next month for a pre-trial review.