The judge sentenced Jonathon Best, 52, from west London to 10 weeks in prison at Willesden magistrates court on Tuesday.

He pleaded guilty to sending by public communication network a grossly offensive or indecent or obscene or menacing message.

Elaine Cousins, from the Crown Prosecution Service, told PA Media:

“Jonathon Best took to Facebook to live stream a barrage of racist abuse at the three players who missed penalties during the game.

“He used social media to publicly vilify these three young men who tried to score for England. When approached by a Facebook friend asking him to remove the grossly offensive content, Best replied: ‘It’s my profile, I can do what I want.’

“There is absolutely no room in the game, nor elsewhere, for racism. The CPS is committed to bringing perpetrators of hate crime to justice where there is the evidence to do so.”

Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka called up to the England squad. #AFC pic.twitter.com/TOqxLFwx9E

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) November 4, 2021

The abuse took place after the Euro 2020 final this summer. Best used social media to insult the players after they missed the final three penalties. This led to the Three Lions losing the final.

The court heard that the individual, who was a work colleague and Facebook friend of Best’s, reported the 18-second Facebook video. The friend made the report to the social media platform and the police after Best refused to remove it.

Facebook eventually took the post down after three days.

“I would like to thank the individual who reported this appalling hate crime and I hope this prosecution goes some way in educating and deterring people from posting hate on social media,” Cousins added.

An inspiration. A hero. A baller. And only 24.

Happy birthday, @MarcusRashford pic.twitter.com/yHQcyupTMF

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 31, 2021

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Manchester United and Liverpool faced off for the second time in just a week this evening. Last weekend, the teams played out a bore scoreless draw in the Premier League.

The FA Cup 4^th round was the occasion this time around. There was more entertainment on display in this fixture than the last as a total of five goals were scored.

Manchester United managed to outscore their opponents in the end, winning the contest by a scoreline of 3-2. Mohamed Salah struck twice for Liverpool but goals from Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes helped secure victory for United.

Manchester United progress to the FA Cup 5^th round with tonight’s win.

KEY MOMENTS

Mohamed Salah, as he so often does, opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 18^th minute. He was played in on goal by a pinpoint Roberto Firmino through ball before delicately chipping over goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Mason Greenwood snatched an equalizer in the 26^th minute to end a barren run of nine games without scoring. Marcus Rashford provided the assist with a brilliant lobbed ball over the Liverpool backline before Greenwood took a touch and hammered into the back of the net.

Greenwood and Rashford combined again just after half-time. This time, Greenwood turned provider as his pass was misjudged by Rhys Williams to which Rashford took advantage by closing in on goal and executing a cool finish into the bottom corner.

Liverpool drew level in the 58^th minute through Mohamed Salah again. The Egyptian was played in unselfishly by James Milner who could have taken a shot on himself. Salah took the shot under pressure but got a good enough connection on the shot to evade the defender and go through Dean Henderson’s legs.

Bruno Fernandes was brought on in the 66^th minute and it didn’t take long for him to make a mark on the game. United were awarded a free-kick in the 78^th minute from just outside the box and after a period of consultation, Bruno Fernandes decided to take on the opportunity. He struck his effort with real venom and his shot was accurate enough to end up in the back of the net despite being on goalkeeper Alisson’s side of the goal.

That goal would prove to be the winner as Manchester United help on to win 3-2.

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Manchester United looked to put their midweek disappointment aside this evening with a victory against West Ham. They done exactly that; however it wasn’t as straightforward as they would have wished. They ran out 3-1 winners on a night that could have ended very different.

Manchester United move up to 4^th in the Premier League table, having been in 10^th up until the 65^th minute. West Ham, on the other hand, slip down to 7^th.

West Ham opened the scoring through Tomáš Souček in the 38^th minute. The Czech Republic international turned poacher as he tapped in from a Declan Rice header. In truth, it was no more than they deserved having dominated much of the first half.

Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes could do nothing but watch from the bench in the first half. The Portuguese midfielder suffered a foot injury prior to the match, meaning he wasn’t in suitable condition to start the match.

He did, however, come on in place of Donny van de Beek for the second half with his side trailing 1-0. Edinson Cavani also made way for Marcus Rashford. The aging striker was unable to have the same affect as he did last weekend, leading to his substitution.

Paul Pogba failed to get going in the first half, leading to criticism on social media. He answered his critics in the 65^th minute with an accurate strike from well outside the box. The goal was Pogba’s first of the Premier League season in what has been a largely disappointing one for the Frenchman so far.

They completed their comeback just minutes later. This time it was Mason Greenwood who got in on the action. Alex Telles crossed the ball into Greenwood’s feet who took a touch away from the defender before finishing coolly into the bottom corner.

They completed their rout in the 78^th minute as Marcus Rashford chipped past Fabianski after receiving a through ball from Juan Mata. He missed a golden opportunity to make it 3-1 just minutes earlier but he made no mistake this time around.

The match finished 3-1 to United after a superb comeback which showed character that had been missing for large periods of the match. The scoreline was perhaps harsh on West Ham, having completely dominated the first half.

All eyes will now be on United’s Champions League fixture against Leipzig on Tuesday. A win for the Red Devils in that fixture would ensure qualification for the knockout stages.

@ManUtd go fourth with a win in London#WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/bmPTsf2XZq

— Premier League (@premierleague) DECEMBER 5, 2020

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Manchester United hosted PSG tonight in their penultimate Champions League group stage match. Last time the two teams faced, Manchester United produced a shock result as they beat the French champions 2-1. This time, there would be no such upset as the attacking quality of PSG shone through.

Tonight’s result means there are now 3 teams on 9 points all fighting for a knockout round spot. All will be decided next week as the teams play each other for the last time in the group stage.

The most interesting fixture is undoubtedly Manchester United vs. Leipzig, both teams being on 9 points. Manchester United came out on top the last time they met as they hammered 5 past the German side. Leipzig have shown they are certainly no pushovers since though. An impressive win over PSG and two over İstanbul Başakşehir have propelled Leipzig up the table.

PSG also face İstanbul Başakşehir in their final fixture. Realistically, they should win and claim a knockout spot but nothing is concrete in football.

It was the French side who drew first blood tonight and they wasted no time in doing so. Who else but Neymar scored in the 5^th minute to give his side the lead. The goal came after Kylian Mbappe easily beat Scott McTominay on his way to goal before his shot was deflected into the path of Neymar. He wasn’t going to miss as he tapped in from close range.

There was a contentious decision made around the 20-minute mark after Fred pushed his head towards Leandro Parades. VAR had a look at the incident and called referee Daniele Orsato over to have a look. In a surprising twist, the referee only branded a yellow card. Surprising given that Nicolas Pépé was sent off for a similar offence just weeks ago in the Premier League.

Manchester United got their equalizer not long after the controversial decision. Marcus Rashford scored against PSG in the initial meeting between the two sides and he done the same again tonight with a goal in the 32^nd minute. His shot from the edge of the box deflected off Danilo Pereira and into the net. Tonight marked Rashford’s 6^th goal in just 5 Champions League game so far this season.

The first half ended 1-1 with the tie firmly in the balance.

Manchester United had a golden opportunity to take the lead just minutes after the first half. There was some fantastic link-up play from Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford before the latter slipped the ball into Anthony Martial. The Frenchman then blasted over the bar from close range, however.

Edinson Cavani contributed to 3 goals during the weekend and he very nearly put United in the lad with 56 minutes gone. The Uruguayan was through on goal after being slipped in but with defenders closing in on him, he opted to chip from outside the box. He was almost rewarded for his innovation as the ball went over the keeper but clipped the bar. Bruno Fernandes collected the rebound before passing to Martial who had his shot blocked by a PSG defender.

Manchester United were firmly in control for much of the opening period of the second half but Marquinhos should have opened the scoreline for PSG in the 63^rd minute. The defender was left unmarked at the far post after a good passage of play but his header only managed to find the crossbar before going out for a goal kick. He really should have hit the target, at least.

PSG were starting to get back into the game after a period of Manchester United domination. Mitchell Bakker had a chance to put PSG ahead after being put through by Neymar but his shot was spectacularly saved by David De Gea. The resulting corner, however, did result in a PSG goal. Marquinhos put his side ahead and after some deliberation from VAR the goal stood.

Things went from bad to worse from United just moments after as Fred was sent to the changing room. His frustration showed as he went lunging in with a slide tackle and although he won the ball, the referee deemed the challenge reckless. He was sent off after collecting his second yellow.

The sending off didn’t seem to affect United all that much as they had a series of half chances after the fact. They did, however, fail to turn those chances into goals. Neymar ended any chance of a Manchester United come back as he tapped in from a Rafinha pull back with just minutes remaining.

The match finished 2-1 to PSG on a disappointing night for Manchester United.

The away side take all three points.#MUFC #UCL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) DECEMBER 2, 2020

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Manchester United got their much-needed retribution over Başakşehir tonight as they ran out 4-1 winners. The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a surprise 2-1 victory to the Turkish side.

After tonight’s result, United now top their group after PSG defeated Leipzig in the Parc des Princes. They now have a chance to secure qualification in their next Champions League fixture with a win over the French side.

It didn’t take long for United to open the scoring and what a goal it was. Bruno Fernandes continued his fine form by scoring in the 6^th minute. The ball fell to the Portuguese international on the half volley and he made no mistake as he blasted into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Marcus Rashford had the ball in the back of the net just moments later. Unfortunately for him, though, it was ruled offside and disallowed.

Not to worry, though, United got their second of the night minutes later in unusual circumstances. The Başakşehir goalkeeper won’t want to see any replays, it was his mistake that led to the goal. He failed to deal with a relatively tame cross into the box as the ball slipped out of his grasps and straight into the path of Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder got his second of the night as he tapped in from close range.

Fernandes had a chance to get a first-half hat-trick after a penalty was given in the 35^th minute. Instead, he unselfishly gave the ball to Marcus Rashford to take. He then made no mistake from the penalty spot as he slotted into the bottom right.

The first half ended 3-0 to United in a mostly dominant first half, but that is not to say Başakşehir were without their chances. The scoreline was slightly harsh on the Turkish side.

Although lacking the same intensity of the first half, both teams had their chances in the second.

It was İstanbul Başakşehir who opened the second half scoring to reduce the deficit. Deniz Türüç was the goalscorer for Başakşehir as he whipped a free kick into the top left.

That goal could have been a gateway back into the game for Başakşehir, but in reality that never looked likely. They had a handful of additional chances afterwards, but they failed to convert.

Manchester United put the finishing touches on their performance as Daniel James slotted home from close range after being played in by Mason Greenwood. The match finished 4-1 to United.

Manchester United face PSG next week as they look to secure qualification for the Champions League knockout stages. İstanbul Başakşehir also face RB Leipzig in what is a crucial game for both clubs. Although unlikely, Başakşehir could still qualify for the knockout stages provided they pick up a win and remain undefeated in their last 2 games.

4⃣ goals
3⃣ points

#MUFC
#UCL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) NOVEMBER 24, 2020

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“I was on free meals in school and my mum wouldn’t get home until 6pm so my next meal would be at 8pm,” The 22-year-old explained on BBC Breakfast.

“I was fortunate, there are kids who don’t get that meal at home. When I heard schools were closing I wanted to make sure these kids were getting the meals they need.”

Manchester’s two rival clubs have come together to provide aid for those affected by the virus, donating a combined £100,000 to help foodbanks in Greater Manchester, and Rashford stressed the importance of this unity.

“When times are tough it’s important that two clubs who have a huge social following show everyone we do come together and make a difference when things that are bigger than football happen,” he added.

Rashford suffered a back injury during United’s FA Cup win over Wolves on 15 January, but says he has been training on the bike as well as playing Fifa, reading and calling friends to keep himself occupied during the pandemic.

“It’s important to keep time passing, stay with positive vibes and keep smiling,” he said.

“I read a lot of books on mentality. In my profession that’s one of the key points. I like to keep developing and improving in some way.

“I can’t do that physically right now, the main way I can do that is mentally. There’s so much knowledge in books and you don’t really know that until you start reading.

“I’ve been watching old games in the Premier League from years ago. Me and the boys are missing football.”

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