LONDON (AP) — A British man has been banned three years from attending soccer matches worldwide after he was found guilty of racially abusing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Stephen Fitzwater was found guilty at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on April 30 and banned Wednesday from all soccer matches in Britain and overseas.

The 55-year-old Fitzwater was sitting among the Chelsea fans at last month’s FA Cup semifinal when he was overheard abusing Drogba, who is black. Chelsea fans reported Drogba to stewards at Wembley and he was arrested by police.

Chelsea also has banned Fitzwater for life, saying “the overwhelming majority of our fans abhor all forms of discrimination.”

Chelsea beat Tottenham 5-1 to reach the FA Cup final.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.