A Wolves fan made a “monkey gesture” at former England defender Rio Ferdinand – amongst different racist abuse – throughout a Premier League match, a court docket has heard.
Jamie Arnold is accused of inflicting racially aggravated harassment, alarm or misery to Mr Ferdinand through the use of “threatening, abusive or insulting” phrases or behaviour on the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United match at Molineux on 23 May final 12 months.
During the prosecution’s opening of the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, footage was performed to the jurors, allegedly displaying him making the racist gesture.
Mr Ferdinand, 43, had been on the recreation – the primary time followers had returned to floor for the reason that begin of the pandemic – working as a tv pundit for BT Sport, the court docket heard.
He is about to provide proof to the court docket afterward Monday.
While some followers had been engaged in “harmless banter and fun” with the TV presenter, the defendant took this a step additional, “engaging in unpleasant hand gestures, and jumping up and down”.
Jason Aris, for the prosecution, stated Mr Ferdinand “decided to ignore this behaviour”, including: “He wasn’t going to give him the attention Mr Arnold appeared to desperately crave.”
‘Not solely was it offensive, it was racist’
Turning to the alleged offence, Mr Aris stated: “The defendant was in the Billy Wright Stand, and put his hands underneath his armpits and started to jump around.
“The prosecution say he was clearly making an attempt to mimic a monkey, clearly, we are saying, within the route of Mr Ferdinand – not solely was it offensive, but additionally racist.”
During the opening speech, the jury was performed a 25-second video taken from a lengthier piece of footage displaying a male standing within the stand and gesturing in the best way described.
The barrister stated: “In case there was a sliver of doubt about whether this defendant was intending to be racist or offensive, you will hear evidence from people at the match who heard him say ‘Rio, you f****** monkey’.”
He added that Arnold had been “unpleasant early into the match”, and had “started to hurl homophobic abuse at the referee, Mike Dean”.
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‘I’ve been a silly c***’
The barrister went on: “This defendant was clearly under the influence of alcohol that day, slurring his words and unsteady on his feet.”
When arrested and cautioned by police on the floor, Arnold allegedly replied: “I knew as soon as I’d done it, I’d been a stupid c***.”
“The prosecution say this is important because this is a clear admission of guilt by this defendant – that he’d done something offensive, racist and unpleasant.”
Arnold will declare he was making monkey gestures “towards his father” who was standing subsequent to him within the stand. He denies he made any racist or offensive shouts.
The trial, anticipated to final per week, continues.
Source: information.sky.com”