2 May 2012 Last updated at 19:41 ET

Chelsea fan banned over racist abuse of Didier Drogba

Fitzwater was in the Chelsea stand at Wembley when he hurled the abuse at the striker

A fan has been banned for life from Chelsea football club after he admitted hurling racist abuse at Didier Drogba.

Stephen Fitzwater, 55, of Isleworth, west London, was heard making the comment as Chelsea played Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final, on 15 April.

He was arrested after other fans reported him to a Wembley steward, Hendon Magistrates' Court heard.

Chelsea Football Club said it took the "strongest action" against Fitzwater, saying it "abhors" discrimination.

Fitzwater admitted racially aggravated abuse at the court hearing and he was also given a three-year football banning order preventing him from attending any regulated football match in the UK or abroad.

A Chelsea spokesman said: "Chelsea Football Club and the overwhelming majority of our fans abhor all forms of discrimination and believe they have no place in our club or our communities.

"We would like to thank Chelsea fans for reporting this incident and others which occurred during the semi-final, as a result of which a number of persons have been banned for using racial and abusive language."