A DRUNK football fan who chanted sectarian songs on a train returning from the Sunderland v Celtic game has been banned from attending any future matches for a year.

Brendan McDonnagh, 28, pleaded guilty to one charge contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act at Edinburgh Sheriff court.

The Rutherglen man, of Westhouse Avenue, was handed the Football Banning Order and a £270 fine at the same court on Friday, November 3.

The incident happened on Sunday July 29 when McDonnagh was returning from the Sunderland FC v Celtic FC match the day prior.

At around 1pm, two passengers joined the service at Edinburgh Waverley station and saw McDonnagh acting in an anti-social manner. He was drinking and chanting loud songs which were believed to be sectarian in nature.

Police boarded the train and spoke with McDonnagh, and the other passengers he was travelling with. He was advised to calm down and not repeat his behaviour.

However, as the train travelled to Glasgow Central station, McDonnagh’s offensive behaviour continued. During the one hour journey, he chanted sectarian songs

Officers from British Transport Police then met the service at Glasgow Central station where McDonnagh was detained and taken to custody.

Inspector Gary Brown, from British Transport Police, said: “We simply do not tolerate this behaviour on the rail network and I welcome the sentence handed down on Friday. Chanting sectarian songs is a hate crime and we take every allegation extremely seriously.

“Very sadly, our officers are called to similar incidents such as this each weekend. Drunken football fans, causing disorder on trains by being abusive to other passengers or at times, being violent. Behaviour such as this is inexcusable and we will always apply for a Football Banning Order to be imposed.

“McDonnagh is now banned from going to see his team – or any other – for one year. I hope this serves as a deterrent to other like-minded troublemakers about the potential consequences of their actions."

A 32-year-old man from Glasgow also attended Edinburgh Sheriff court charged with an offensive contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act. He entered a plea of not guilty which was accepted by the court.