An anti-racism charity has blasted a judge's decision not to hand a banning order to a football fan who shouted racist abuse at a black Scottish Premier League player.

Ryan Cameron, 20, had drunk beer, vodka and tequila before attending the Hibs – Dunfermline game at the Fife club's East End Park on September 17.

Prosecuting, Azrah Yousaf said that the game had been underway for about 25 minutes when Cameron, who was in the North West Stand, was heard shouting a racist term at Hibs midfielder Isaiah Osbourne.

Ms Yousaf said another fan told Cameron such language was not acceptable. The depute fiscal said the racist remark was also heard by police on crowd duty, but they did not know who had called it out.

Officers carried out enquiries and Cameron was arrested two days later. He admitted it had been him, and told officers he had drunk a bottle of Cactus Jack, three pints of beer, and three vodkas.

He added: "I don't know why I said it. It just slipped out. I was too drunk."

Cameron, of Primose Lane, Rosyth, Fife, pleaded guilty to shouting racial abuse at former Aston Villa player Osbourne.

Defence solicitor Zander Flett said Osbourne himself could not have heard. He added that Cameron "was sorry".

He begged Sheriff Dunbar not to impose a football banning order, saying, "I don't think this is necessary for a first offender."

Handing Cameron a £400 fine, the sheriff told him: "You should take a long hard look at the effect that drink has on you."

After the case Bill Butler, campaign manager in Scotland for Show Racism The Red Card, said the anti-racism educational charity was "dismayed" at the decision of the court.

Mr Butler said: "We advocate a zero tolerance approach towards racism and racial abuse. We feel that the perpetrator, who admitted his guilt, should have been given not simply a £400 fine but football banning order of two or three years.

"It's really very disappointing that the court did not act, and for the sheriff simply to say that Dunfermline should take action is just not good enough."

Dunfermline Athletic said Cameron would be given a lifetime ban. Chairman John Yorkston said: "The club's position on this is very clear: anyone who is found guilty of racially abusing players or other fans will face being banned from the club for life."

A spokesman for Hibernian FC said: "We are surprised that Mr Cameron, who pleaded guilty to racially abusing our player, has effectively been let off with a fine.

"This form of behaviour is not acceptable within football where a zero tolerance policy towards racism and racial abuse is promoted and endorsed by all the SPL Clubs.

"Given the court's failure to apply a football banning order, we applaud the stance taken by Dunfermline Athletic in banning Mr Cameron from Dunfermline matches. Similarly Mr Cameron will be banned indefinitely from attending all matches at Easter Road Stadium."