A football supporter has been sentenced for racially abusing former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand.
What has happened to Rio Ferdinand?
The former England defender was the subject of racial abuse during a Premier League match.
A football fan identified as Jamie Arnold flung racial comments and hand gestures at Rio Ferdinand, while he was working as a sports pundit for BT Sport during a game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United on the 23rd of May, 2021.
The aforementioned match was the first game back at the Molineux Stadium since COVID-19 conditions were lifted to permit supporters back inside the Stadiums.
According to West Midlands Police, Jamie Arnold, the 33-year-old initially denied a racially annoyed public order offense
On November 1, 2023, he was unanimously punished after a two-day prosecution at Wolverhampton Crown Court and will be convicted on December 8, 2023.
Soaking about the occurrence, Rio Ferdinand told the court; “I felt sick if I’m honest. First time I’ve gone back into a stadium in a long time, it’s not what you expect. I’ve had this before when growing up, I don’t expect it in football.”
The former Manchester United captain was asked whether the racist abuse hurt him and replied that he was distressed and had to go live on TV.
He added that he was not expecting to take the step, and didn’t have the intention to go on live TV because his kids were watching.
Start Ward, the UK’s first dedicated hate crime authority within a football unit for Weon St Midlands has said that abusing anyone for the color of their skin is offending and can never, ever be tolerated.
Ward said; “Arnold is old enough to know such appalling behavior is inexcusable and certainly won’t be tolerated”.
He added; “I know from personal experience how being a victim of racism hurts while offenders risk their own aspirations through getting a criminal record”.
The authority later thanked Rio Ferdinand for his support in the investigation.
However, Jamie Arnold was arrested at the scene due to the offense committed by the football fan.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) claimed that the fan was seen making racist gestures on CCTV and was caught by several eyewitnesses in the stand.
Ferdinand informed a last trial that he did not glimpse the gestures made by Arnold, but had reported one fan’s more aggressive body language.
Arnold was recently prohibited from watching matches for three years after being found guilty of homophobic insult and making motions that imitated disability during the same game.
West Midlands police proclaimed that Arnold was also instructed to pay about £900 in fines and court costs
A spokesperson for campaign organization Kick It Out also commented on the incident, he said; ‘Kick It Out welcomes the guilty verdict handed to Arnold.’
He further added that Perpetrators of discriminatory abuse actions must be able to account for their actions, and also urged the authorities to send a strong message that racism has no place in the world of football.
He said; “We commend the CPS and West Midlands Police for their work securing justice in this case and would urge authorities across the country to take similar incidents of discriminatory abuse just as seriously”.
The Spokesman promises to continue working with partners across the football world to attack discriminatory insults as they happen and also ensure that victims receive the backing they need.
Therefore, he has encouraged anyone who notices racism of any sort in the future to report it directly to the West Midlands police.
Who are the footballers who have been racially abused?
Rio Ferdinand was not the only past and current football player who has suffered racial abuse.
Recently, Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid was also attacked by racists during a Spanish La Liga match against Sevilla.
Former Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli was one of the former player in Europe who had been racially abused during his time with the Italian outfit.
Do players also engage in racial abuse?
Numerous football players have also been fined for using racist language towards fans or fellow teammates.
Recently, Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United was fined for his media post about his teammate Andre Onana after a Champions League match following the goalkeeper’s performance in the game.
Former Manchester United player Edinson Cavani was one of the football players who was fined for using racist language towards a fan during his time at Old Trafford.
