Police make arrest for ‘racist gestures’ in Manchester derby

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a man has been arrested for making what appear to have been “racist gestures” during Manchester United’s derby win over Manchester City on the weekend. Footage posted on social media showed a man aiming the abuse in the direction of United midfielder Fred, who later condemned it as a product of our “backward society”.

In a statement posted on their website, Greater Manchester Police reported:

At around 6.55pm on Saturday 7 December 2019 police were called to a report of a supporter making alleged racist gestures and sounds towards players during the Manchester City and Manchester United derby.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order and remains in custody for questioning.

Suffice to say, there’s no room for this stuff in football, and the fact the man in question appears to have been a City fan should have no bearing on our attitudes towards the crime; on another day, it could have easily been ‘one of our own’. Let’s make sure we stay vigilant and committed to stamping out racism wherever it occurs, in all of its forms.