A man has been charged with a public order offence following online circulation of a video allegedly showing a football supporter making hateful comments after a Newcastle United cup tie.
Northumbria Police was made aware of a video circulating on social media which reportedly showed a man making offensive remarks relating to the Munich Air Disaster.
The report was received on Thursday (September 28), following Newcastle’s League Cup tie against Manchester City at St James’ Park, on Wednesday evening.
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An investigation was immediately launched with inquiries carried out to locate the person believed to be involved.
It led to the arrest of a 41-year-old man yesterday (Friday September 29) in connection with the incident.
He has since been charged with a public order offence and will appear at court at a later date.
His bail conditions forbid him entering an exclusion zone around St James’ Park on match days.
Superintendent Rob Bosson of Northumbria Police, said: “First and foremost, I would like to stress that this type of behaviour has absolutely no place in our communities, and we take reports of this nature very seriously.
“As soon as we were made aware of the video, an investigation was immediately launched, with officers working hard to identify a suspect who has since been arrested and charged.
“I would like to thank both the public and our partners for their continued support.
“We would ask people not to speculate either in the community or on social media. Doing so could potentially jeopardise live criminal proceedings.”
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A Newcastle United spokesperson said: "Tragedy-related chanting and gesturing is completely unacceptable and Newcastle United is committed to working with authorities and the wider football community to eradicate it."
At the start of the new football season, last month, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) released new guidance over punishments for so-called tragedy chanting.
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It suggested that fans could be prohibited from attending matches and tournaments, with additional restrictions forbidding travel to certain areas, or even being allowed in pubs at game times.
The FA also announced new rules, including a section on tragedy chanting, saying those who commit this form of “vile abuse” could be arrested and banned from stadiums.
The Northumbria force said inquiries over Wednesday’s alleged incident are ongoing and anyone with further information should report it using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of its website, or by calling 101.
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