‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ says Manchester City fan accused of racism

‘I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s been taken out of context’: Manchester City fan ‘who did monkey gesture at black Man Utd player’ denies he’s racist after being questioned by police

  • Anthony Burke is alleged to have made monkey gestures towards United’s Fred
  • He denies wrongdoing and insisted yesterday that he had ‘done nothing wrong’  
  • The 41-year-old was arrested and bailed after Saturday’s Manchester derby  

The Manchester City fan accused of racially abusing a United player insisted yesterday that he had ‘done nothing wrong’.  

Anthony Burke is alleged to have made monkey gestures towards Brazillian player Fred during Saturday’s derby. 

The 41-year-old was arrested and freed on bail and also faces an investigation by the club and the FA, but denies wrongdoing. 

Approached at his home by the Manchester Evening News, he said: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’  

He added that ‘the picture has been taken out of context’ before shutting the door.  

Suspect:  Anthony Burke, in the centre of the front row, is alleged to have made monkey gestures towards Brazillian player Fred during Saturday’s derby

Alleged victim: Manchester United player Fred (pictured) reported alleged racial abuse during Saturday's fixture

Alleged victim: Manchester United player Fred (pictured) reported alleged racial abuse during Saturday’s fixture 

Fred and teammate Jesse Lingard both reported the incident after watching Sky Sports video footage inside the Manchester United dressing room. 

Greater Manchester Police revealed on Saturday night that a 41-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. He was later released on bail. 

MailOnline identified the fan arrested as Anthony Burke, an Army veteran who works as a civil engineering manager at Kier Group. 

Kier announced on Sunday that an employee had been suspended pending an investigation.   

GMP superintendent Chris Hill said: ‘I would like to thank the public for their ongoing support with this incident.

‘Racism of any kind has no place in football or our society and I hope this arrest shows that we are taking this matter extremely seriously. 

‘We will continue to work with Manchester City and Manchester United on this incident and will investigate any other lines of enquiries.’ 

Bailed: Anthony Burke (pictured) from Manchester also faces an investigation by the club and the FA, but denies wrongdoing

Bailed: Anthony Burke (pictured) from Manchester also faces an investigation by the club and the FA, but denies wrongdoing

The Football Association will also investigate and is planning to talk to the clubs, referee Anthony Taylor, the police and other relevant parties. 

There were also reports of missiles being thrown as tempers boiled over in the stands, with Fred appearing to be hit by an object hurled from the crowd. 

City’s statement read: ‘Manchester City FC are aware of a video circulating on social media which appears to show a supporter making racial gestures during the second half of the match against Manchester United this evening.

‘Officials from the club are working with Greater Manchester Police in order to help them identify any individuals concerned and assist with their enquiries.

‘The club are also working with GMP regarding an instance of objects being thrown onto the field of play.

‘The club operates a zero tolerance policy regarding discrimination of any kind, and anyone found guilty of racial abuse will be banned from the club for life.’  

City manager Pep Guardiola spent time with Fred — a midfielder he was once keen on signing — in the tunnel area as the two sides began departing the stadium after United’s 2-1 win. 

‘Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society,’ Fred later told ESPN Brazil. ‘We still have to live with that in 2019.

‘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. 

Burke took to Facebook on Saturday night to defend his actions and refute the claims of racism. 

The father and ex-soldier, who served in Northern Ireland with the Cheshire Regiment, wrote: ‘Listen, I’m only racist c*** because I had a screen shot that made me look it. However I ain’t racist, watch the match half of it was me with me putting my hands in my pants.’

He added: ‘Bullsh** not ar*** I know the true and I’ve already made appointment to speak to the police which I did so think what you like.’ 

Boiling over: Fred appeared to be hit by an object hurled from the crowd as he prepared to take a corner near the home fans during the Manchester derby

Boiling over: Fred appeared to be hit by an object hurled from the crowd as he prepared to take a corner near the home fans during the Manchester derby 

Denial: Anthony Burke insisted on Facebook that he had not made racist gestures

Denial: Anthony Burke insisted on Facebook that he had not made racist gestures