Man City fan released on bail following alleged racial abuse towards Manchester United’s Fred

Man City fan accused of alleged racial abuse towards Manchester United midfielder Fred is released on bail

  • A Man City fan arrested on suspicion of racial abuse has been released on bail 
  • Anthony Burke, 41, was accused of making a racist gesture towards Fred
  • He claimed it wasn’t racist but was ‘putting his hands in his pants’ in the photo
  • Greater Manchester Police are continuing investigations following man’s bail

The man accused of racially abusing Manchester United midfielder Fred has been released on bail, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.

Anthony Burke, 41, was seen making a gesture towards Fred during Saturday night’s Manchester Derby, and further investigations are set to take place.

If found guilty, he risks a lifetime ban by Manchester City, and the FA have also begun their own investigation.

Man City fan (bottom centre) appeared to make racist noises and gestures towards Fred

Fred has spoken out after allegedly suffering racial abuse in Saturday's Manchester derby

Fred has spoken out after allegedly suffering racial abuse in Saturday’s Manchester derby

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

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) statement from Saturday night read: ‘A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order (offence) and remains in custody for questioning.’ 

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

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.’ 

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

Fred was hit by an object hurled from the crowd as he prepared to take a corner by home fans

Fred was hit by an object hurled from the crowd as he prepared to take a corner by home fans

Anthony Burke (pictured) from Manchester was filmed appearing to make racist gestures

Anthony Burke (pictured) from Manchester was filmed appearing to make racist gestures

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.’

City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano sought United director David Gill immediately after the match to stress that the Premier League champions would do everything in their power to take decisive action. United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward did not attend the derby.

There was a confidence at being able to identify any potential perpetrators given anyone purchasing a ticket for games is registered with the club.

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.

‘Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society,’ Fred 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.

‘It’s sad, but we have to keep our heads up and forget about that. We can’t give them any attention because that’s all they want. I spoke to the referee (Anthony Taylor) after the match, they will do something about it and that’s all. 

‘Thank God I have a lot of friends in the locker room who hugged me, like Lingard. I don’t want to think about it. I just want to move on.’

Fred was also struck in the head by a lighter from one corner of the Etihad Stadium. Rio Ferdinand was bloodied by a coin at the same end in 2012.

It is believed that objects were hurled at celebrating United players as Marcus Rashford’s penalty gave them a lead before half-time.

Chosen as Saturday’s late kick-off for broadcasting purposes, the derby was fractious all afternoon. Fighting occurred before and after the game.