Football yob found guilty of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand during Man Utd match

01 November 2023 , 15:45

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Jamie Arnold has been found guilty of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand (Image: PA)

Football fan Jamie Arnold has been found guilty of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand.

Arnold, 32, was found unanimously guilty by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday and will be sentenced on December 8. The incident happened during a Premier League game between Wolves and Manchester United at Molineux in May 2021.

United legend Ferdinand was working as a pundit for BT Sport, the TV channel now known as TNT Sports, when Arnold committed the offence. Arnold, of Stone in Staffordshire, was ejected from Molineux by stewards and arrested by officers.

The game was the first to be held at Molineux since Covid restrictions were lifted to allow fans back inside football stadiums. Arnold denied a charge of a racially aggravated public order but was found unanimously guilty.

West Midlands Police released a statement on Arnold's guilty verdict on Wednesday. The "thorough investigation" was led by dedicated football hate crime officer PC Stuart Ward, who analysed CCTV evidence and collated witness statements.

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Ferdinand provided evidence at Wolverhampton Crown Court (PA)

PC Ward said: "Abusing anyone for the colour of their skin is disgusting and can never, ever be condoned. Arnold is old enough to know such appalling behaviour is inexcusable and certainly won't be tolerated.

"I know from personal experience how being a victim of racism hurts while offenders risk their own aspirations through getting a criminal record. I would like to thank Rio for his assistance in this investigation. Through his support we've ensured a man has this conviction to his name."

Ferdinand gave evidence at the second day of the trial on Tuesday. He didn't hear the racist abuse but was made aware of it at half-time. A close protection guard told him that someone had been removed from the ground because of the racist abuse.

Ferdinand told the court: "I felt sick if I'm honest. First time I'd gone back into a stadium in a long time, it's not what you expect… I've had this before when growing up, I don't expect it in football."

Ferdinand was asked whether the racist abuse hurt him. He replied: "Yes, it throws you. I was distressed and had to go on live TV. I wasn't expecting to have to do that… It's not what I want to do, my kids had to watch that."

Arnold admitted that he was trying to offend Ferdinand but denied racially abusing him. Arnold faces a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment.

Alistair Redford, the senior crown prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: "Arnold made despicable racist gestures towards a victim who was just trying to do his job.

"I would like to thank the stewards whose quick-thinking actions ensured they could identify and remove Arnold from the stadium that day, and for Mr Ferdinand and witnesses who came forward to help us build as strong a case as possible."

Tom Blow