Four arrested over alleged racist abuse at Manchester City clash with Stoke City
Three fans have been arrested over alleged racist chanting during Manchester City’s clash with Stoke City on Saturday.
The two men and a youth are believed to be Stoke supporters and have now been banned from entering Greater Manchester.
The fans were held on Saturday (22 February) afternoon at the Etihad during the Blues’ 1-0 defeat of the Staffordshire visitors.
A 37-year-old, a 50-year-old and a 17-year-old were held on suspicion of racist chanting during the game in Eastlands.
A fourth man, also believed to be a Stoke fan, was held on suspicion of racially abusing a steward.
The men have all been bailed and cannot enter Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) force area while investigations are ongoing. The 17-year-old has received a caution for racist chanting.
All four are understood to be from the Staffordshire area.
GMP are still investigating and seeking more details from other fans at the game and officials at Manchester City.
A total of 47,038 were at the ground for Saturday’s clash – the third highest crowd in the top flight this weekend. It is not yet clear whether police were seeking CCTV footage of the alleged incidents.
A Manchester City spokesman said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to any evidence of discrimination in any form. We are supporting the police in all aspects of their investigation.”