Two wrongs don't make a right
What the fan was doing was wrong; no question about it. And -- while this conclusion is not quite as clear -- I think your partner was wrong, too. What he did was designed to demean another human being. Is that desire understandable? Yes. Was the response "deserved" in that it was brought on by the fan's behavior? Perhaps.
My first reaction to reading the account was to smile and appreciate your partner's courage (although perhaps not wisdom) in putting the guy in his place. But my more reflective reaction is that your partner's conduct is not to be condoned. Treating others the way we wish to be treated is easy when others treat us nicely. Treating others the way we wish to be treated, even when we are not being treated nicely, is the right thing to do (even if it's not easy).
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