Police Confirm Man Arrested for Alleged Racist Abuse During Manchester Derby

08 December 2019 12:24

​Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that they have arrested a man who was accused of racist abuse during Saturday's Manchester derby.

Manchester United midfielder Fred is alleged to have been targeted by a fan as he walked towards the corner of the pitch, with footage of the incident appearing to show the fan in question making monkey gestures towards the Brazilian.

Fred

​Manchester City launched an immediate enquiry into the incident, and the ​Evening Standard have now confirmed that a 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of 'a racially aggravated public order'.


The Citizens have pledged to dish out a ​lifetime ban to any fan who is found guilty of racist abuse, while they are also working to identify the supporters who threw objects towards ​Fred and other ​United players.


Speaking to ​ESPN Brazil after the game, Fred condemned the actions of the fan in question, comparing it so some of the incidents which he faced during his time playing in Ukraine.

"Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society," he said. "[It is a shame] we still have to live with that in 2019. On the field, I didn't see anything. I saw it only in the locker room afterwards.

"The guys showed me. He even threw a lighter and it hit me. I try not to care about that. I try to look ahead.

"Unfortunately, this is happening in some stadiums. It happened here, it happened in Ukraine with some friends. It's sad, but we have to keep our heads up and forget about that. We can't give them any attention because that's all they want. I spoke to the referee after the match, they will do something about it and that's all.

"We are all the same regardless of skin colour, hair and gender. We came from the same place and we all go to the same place when it's all said and done. Thank God I have a lot of friends here in the locker room who hugged me, like [Jesse] ​Lingard. I don't want to think about it. I just want to move on."

The ​Premier League and English FA both intend to investigate the incident themselves, while both clubs have spoken publicly to condemn the actions of the fan.

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Source: 90min