A FOOTBALL fan “arrested” over the horrific monkey gestures aimed at Manchester United player Fred yesterday claims he “ain’t racist.” A disturbing video posted on social media showed Anthony Burke appearing to make sick racist chants towards the footballer during the Red Devils’ 2-1 victory over rivals City at the Etihad. Greater Manchester Police confirmed […]
A FOOTBALL fan “arrested” over the horrific monkey gestures aimed at Manchester United player Fred yesterday claims he “ain’t racist.”
A disturbing video posted on social media showed Anthony Burke appearing to make sick racist chants towards the footballer during the Red Devils’ 2-1 victory over rivals City at the Etihad.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a man has been detained although they offered no further details.
Burke, who has today been suspended from his job at building company Kier Group, was filmed making the vile gestures towards Fred – moments before the Brazilian midfielder was pelted with missiles near the corner flag.
But the father, who is a Man City fan and a civil engineering manager, wrote on Facebook that he was only “putting my hands in my pants.”
He said: “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.”
The British Army veteran, who appears to have served in Northern Ireland, also claimed he was not arrested but made an “appointment” to speak to the police.
But Burke’s former partner named only as Amy, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, told the MailOnline that he was detained this morning by cops and that his family have received death threats.
She said: “He was arrested this morning. He doesn’t live with me. It’s horrible – I have had death threats and my kids.
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“I have been in tears. I am really surprised – this is not like him – his family are black.”
Burke’s employer Kier Group plc confirmed “an employee” has been suspended after earlier tweeting it was probing the allegations.
The firm tweeted: “Kier has a zero tolerance policy towards any racist and discriminatory behaviour. We can confirm an employee has been suspended pending an investigation.”
In 2014, Burke posted on Facebook: “Anyone know of any memorials about were (sic) I could get some flowers from (sic) the wife just realise its valentines day tomoz.”
Following the shameful scenes at the Etihad, the Premier League tweeted: “Everyone is welcome at Premier League matches. Racism is not.”
This comes after it emerged the Football Association is probing the allegations of racist abuse during the match at the Etihad Stadium.
City swiftly issued a statement saying the club was working with Greater Manchester Police and the FA was planning to talk to the clubs, referee Anthony Taylor and other relevant parties.
A spokeswoman told the PA news agency: “We will be investigating.”
Brazil international Fred was hit struck by a lighter hurled from the crowd as the visitors prepared to take a corner.
Following the incident, the £52m footballer said he only learned of the racist abuse when his teammates showed him footage in the dressing room
He said: “Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society. (It is a shame) we still have to live with that in 2019.
“On the field, I didn’t see anything. I saw it only in the locker room afterwards.
“The guys showed me. He even threw a lighter and it hit me. 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.”
Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society.
United player Fred
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Fred and Jesse (Lingard) were in the corner, taking a corner, and I’ve seen the video, heard from the boys.
“We keep talking about it every bloody week. But he’s been caught on camera. He should, in my opinion, never be allowed into a football ground again and I’ve seen the video. Unacceptable.”
City’s statement read: “Manchester City FC are aware of a video circulating on social media which appears to show a supporter making racial gestures during the second half of the match against Manchester United this evening.
“Officials from the club are working with Greater Manchester Police in order to help them identify any individuals concerned and assist with their enquiries.
“The club are also working with GMP regarding an instance of objects being thrown onto the field of play.
“The club operates a zero tolerance policy regarding discrimination of any kind, and anyone found guilty of racial abuse will be banned from the club for life.”
