Note: There are some offensive things in this article that may upset some readers. In an effort to limit offence while upholding the integrity of the legal procedures, we have eliminated allusions to racial gestures and words on many occasions.
Five different witnesses have testified in court that they witnessed a Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter make a blatantly racist gesture towards Rio Ferdinand during a match two and a half years ago in the Premier League versus Manchester United.
When the alleged assault occurred in May 2021, Ferdinand, a former England and United defender, was a BT Sport commentator covering the game.
The 32-year-old Jamie Arnold of Norton Bridge, Staffordshire, disputes harassing, alarming, or upsetting someone based only on their race.
The event is said to have occurred during the opening game at Molineux, following the lifting of the coronavirus restrictions, which enabled a limited number of home supporters to re-enter the stadium.
The prosecution claims that since Ferdinand was the only Black employee of BT that was visible to the public and there were no Black employees among the larger BT support team that day, it was obvious that Ferdinand was the target of the racial taunts.
“He (Ferdinand) was the only Black person on the gantry where BT Sport were broadcasting from,” stated Mr. Richard McConaghy, the prosecutor. Mr. Arnold made (racist) gestures towards Mr. Ferdinand while putting his arms beneath his armpits.
A variety of people, including security guards and stewards, witnessed such motions. Additionally, someone heard Mr. Arnold yell, “Rio, you (expletive) (racial slur).”
“Mr. Arnold was the target of the CCTV cameras. They identified Mr. Arnold from the crowd, and video shows him turning to face his father, who is standing close to him. He repeats the (racist) gestures while grinning and seeming extremely happy with himself.”
After that, video of the individual making the gesture was displayed to the jury. That individual, according to the prosecution, is defendant Mr. Arnold.
Mark Zammitt, a Wolves season ticket holder, was asked how he felt when he witnessed the gestures. He said, “Shock and anger, lost for words really.” That still occurs in this day and age is regrettable.”
Then he claims that after informing a steward of what he had observed, Mr. Arnold was removed from the
Another Wolves supporter, Josh Berry, expressed his embarrassment to the court. That’s not something you want to see at a football game, especially with your own teammates. It truly is disheartening.”
On that particular day, Stuart Munden-Edge, a bodyguard providing tight protection for BT Sport’s pundits, had a similar sentiment.
“Total disgust,” he said to the judge. “I had never seen anything like it, especially when it was aimed at a specific person. I asked the steward sitting next to me if he had witnessed the same thing, and he confirmed that he had. I was right, he said.”
“I knew as soon as I’d done it that I shouldn’t have done,” Mr. Arnold said in body camera footage captured by the arresting police officer. How foolish (expletive)!”
The argument in favour of
The trial is set to last three days, with the defence case due to start on Tuesday.
Jamie Arnold disputes that he ever harassed, alarmed, or distressed someone based on their race.
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