A REDCAR man who was caught on film fighting during Middlesbrough's Uefa Cup quarter-final in Switzerland has been banned from football grounds across the country for two years.

Ashley Walker, 19, was sprayed in the face with CS gas when Swiss police entered the stadium to quell the outbreak of violence which started at half time.

He did not contest the application from Cleveland Police and accepted he had thrown punches which were caught by a member of the public on a camera phone. The picture later appeared on a Boro fans' web site.

Walker's father, Ian, could still be able to go to watch England play in the World Cup in Germany after he contested an application to ban him from attending games.

He is due to appear at court on May 30 for a pre-trial hearing after he disputed he was involved in the trouble in the St Jakob Park stadium in Basle on March 30.

The pair, both of Aintree Road, Redcar, were taken off a ferry in Hull as they attempted to make their way to Eindhoven to watch the club play in the Uefa cup final.

The teenager had his passport confiscated when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court last Tuesday to ensure he was unable to attend the game. However, his father was allowed to keep his passport.

Det Sgt Ian Fawcett, of the police football intelligence unit, told the court Ashley Walker played a central part in the disorder.

He said: "He is clearly seen to throw a punch, get himself in the Basle end and really - from the evidence - he is one of the leaders involved in the disorder."

In mitigation, Helen Larkin said Walker only became involved in the trouble after went to help his father who had been covered in drinks thrown by Basle supporters.

She said: "He has been a season ticket holder for 11 years and because of his behaviour in Basle he couldn't attend the biggest night in the club's history - the final in Eindhoven."