When a Liverpool supporter was arrested for alleged racist comments towards Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi it prompted front page newspaper headlines across the UK.
However, a Manchester United fan has been charged for shouting racist abuse at Stoke players during a Premier League game and thus far is has hardly been reported in the British press.
Howard Hobson of Manchester is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence and using threatening words or behavior to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The 57-year-old fan was arrested at Old Trafford on Tuesday after a spectator who heard the comments complained to stewards. Hobson is to appear at Trafford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
So, more hypocrisy from the British media, just as was their reporting of the respective John Terry and Luis Suarez cases. We await The Daily Mail et al. to give this the same coverage as with recent events involving Liverpool.
Statistics for arrests for racist chanting since 2008-09:
Bolton – 7
Spurs – 7
Blackburn – 6
Aston Villa, Stoke, Man United – 5
Chelsea -4
Sunderland, Liverpool, Everton – 1
Fulham, Man City – 0
Meanwhile, Liverpool and England winger Stewart Downing will not face charges relating to his arrest last month on suspicion of assault, police have confirmed.
See also: Kick it Out campaign
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