Norris Fined For 'Handcuffs' Gesture

A footballer has been fined for making an apparent handcuffs goal celebration in support of a convicted drink-driver.

Ipswich Town midfielder David Norris crossed his wrists in what looked like a "handcuffs" sign after scoring the only goal in the club's win at Blackpool on Saturday.

The celebration was seen as an apparent message to former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who is serving a seven-years-and-four month jail sentence for causing the deaths of Arron Peak, 10, and his eight-year-old brother Ben.

McCormick was twice the drink-drive limit when he ploughed into a car carrying the brothers on the M6 in Staffordshire on June 7. The 26-year-old had been at Norris' wedding, and was described by experts as "at best semi-conscious" after drinking all night.

The club handed Norris, 27, from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, a fine. He was also asked by the sport's governing body, the Football Association (FA) to write a letter of explanation, within the next week.

Amanda Peak, the boys' mother told the Daily Mirror said Norris should be punished, and said she was "disgusted" with Norris.

"To celebrate a goal like that is disrespectful to me and my husband and my boys. He should be given a ban by his club," she said.

"Norris is doing this in front of thousands of supporters, including children, and sending out the wrong message that we can drink and drive and it's okay to kill someone."

Ipswich club officials said Mr Norris had written a letter of "regret" to the boys' parents and the club would make a donation.

In a statement, the club's spokesman said: "Whilst the club has heard David's explanation that this gesture was in no way intended to condone or support the actions of his friend Luke McCormick, he was found to have been insensitive to the possible interpretation that such a gesture may create."

The spokesman added that Norris had been fined and "warned about his future conduct".

Mrs Peak said she was 'satisfied', saying: "That is all we wanted, a letter to say he is sorry and he's shown he's got a heart, and it wasn’t intended to hurt anyone but obviously it did.

"It was something private between him and Luke, but private should stay private, it should not be in the public."

(JM)