Oxford United fans have been praised by an anti-racism charity for reporting a man who abused U’s left-back Liam Davis.

Keith Jordan, 62, was fined £375 for racially aggravated threatening behaviour after shouting: “Get off the pitch you monkey” when the 25-year-old was sent off at the Kassam Stadium during United’s 3-1 loss to Cheltenham Town in November.

Other United fans in the South Stand Upper told stewards, who ejected him fromthe ground. Police then arrested and charged him.

It is understood Davis did not hear the slur.

With racism in the sport hitting the headlines, Ged Grebby, chief executive of Show Racism The Red Card, said: “It is something more common nowadays (for fans to report racial abuse). It’s really good to see.

“One of the positive aspects of the rise in reporting racist abuse is that it shows that the campaign has been successful.

“I commend the supporters and Oxford United.”

Pc Paul Phillips, who dealt with the case, said: “The good thing with Oxford United is that they do not have a racial problem within the club.

“It is the first case I have dealt with in my time and that goes back to the 80s.

“What is satisfying was it was reported to police and stewards by the supporters.

“They came forward and it was their actions that led to this being dealt with.

“The comment was made just as Liam Davis was sent off.

“It caused a situation with the fans where they were offended by what they had heard and it was dealt with.

“There has obviously been a lot of publicity about it lately with players and supporters, but personally I feel these supporters, regardless of the publicity, would have made the right decision to come forward.”

United have banned Jordan, from Windmill Close in North Leigh near Witney, for the rest of the season and chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “This was a serious matter and we are pleased that our fans reacted in such a way and that our stewards dealt with it effectively and then the matter was passed on to the police.

“Hopefully it shows that this kind of behaviour and these kind of comments are unacceptable at the football club.”

Jordan admitted the offence at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on December 30 and was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.

An application for a football banning order to keep him away from football matches was rejected by magistrates.