08 December 2023 , 16:27
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A Wolves football fan who racially abused Rio Ferdinand has been sentenced to six months in jail and banned from watching live games for seven years.
Jamie Arnold, 33, was found unanimously guilty by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court last month after denying a racially aggravated public order offence. The incident occurred during a Premier League game between Wolves and Manchester United at Molineux in May 2021.
Former Manchester United and England defender 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.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Ferdinand said he had been left “extremely distressed, distraught and devastated” by the incident and while he had “learned to deal with racist comments” during his time as a footballer, he had never experienced racist gestures or comments while working as a pundit.
He said: “Still to this day I do not know why I was abused… this abuse was unprovoked and completely unacceptable. I accept as an ex-professional football player there will be supporters who will voice opinions about me or whilst I am working on TV, what I don’t accept is that the opinions or gestures made about me or towards me should be abusive and racist where comments are made regarding the colour of my skin and my background.”
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Ferdinand said Arnold had shown a “complete lack of respect for me, my family, Wolves FC and everyone associated to football”.
He added: “Behaviour like this is completely unacceptable. The male needs to understand how they made me feel and most importantly take responsibility for their actions. I have worked extremely hard in my life to get to where I am in my career and never thought an incident like this would have such an impact on my life and on my career.
“I am pursuing this case to court because I strongly believe something needs to happen to eradicate racism, not only from football but from all forms of society.”
West Midlands Police said a "thorough investigation" was led by dedicated football hate crime officer PC Stuart Ward, who analysed CCTV evidence and collated witness statements.
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."
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."