A football fan accused of shouting racist abuse at a Premiership match must wait until Monday to see if he has succeeded in clearing his name.
Frank Wheatley was picked out by a steward at the Stadium of Light for allegedly making anti-Jewish remarks during a Sunderland game against Tottenham, in October 1999.
Durham Crown Court was told the London club is known to have a following among the Jewish community.
Wheatley, secretary of the South-East Durham branch of Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association, was fined £200 and banned from all football grounds in England and Wales for a year, after being convicted of using racial or indecent words and behaviour by Sunderland magistrates last July.
The 50-year-old electrician, of Oakerside Park, Peterlee, County Durham, is appealing against conviction and sentence at the crown court.
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