Wolves fan found guilty of racially abusing Rio Ferdinand at Molineux

Jamie Arnold, 33, was found guilty today after two mistrials at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Arnold, from Norton Bridge, Stone, Staffordshire, was caught on camera doing monkey gestures at the pundit who was working for BT Sport.

The incident happened during the Wolves v Manchester United game in 2021, the first game fans were allowed back in grounds after lockdown.

Several Wolves fans, who were near Arnold, gave evidence for the prosecution.

The jury found Arnold guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

Arnold was previously banned from games for three years after being found guilty of hurling homophobic abuse at the referee Mike Dean and making gestures which mimicked disability during the same game.

He was also ordered to pay almost £900 in fines and court costs.

West Midlands Police's football hate crime officer PC Stuart Ward led the investigation.

He said: "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."

Rio Ferdinand gave evidence at Wolverhampton Crown Court at the first two trials against Arnold.

He told the court "banter was normal" at games but he noticed Arnold had become "fixated".

He said: "Four or five were just a little bit more kind of serious about it, and one was more aggressive, a bit more directed at me, firmly. Fixated.”

The former Manchester United captain had not seen Arnold's monkey gestures but his body-guard, stewards and fans had. Arnold was escorted out the ground and arrested. He told the arresting officer he was drunk, and: "I'm stupid, I knew it as soon as I’d done it.”

A spokesman for campaign organisation Kick It Out said: "Kick It Out welcomes the guilty verdict handed to Arnold today.

"It is imperative that perpetrators of discriminatory abuse are held to account for their actions and we hope this result sends a strong statement that racism has no place in our society.

"We commend the CPS and West Midlands Police for their work securing justice in this case and would urge authorities across the country to take similar incidents of discriminatory abuse just as seriously."

The spokesman added: "We continue to work with partners across football to tackle discriminatory abuse as it happens and to ensure that victims receive the support they need.

"We would encourage anyone who witnesses discrimination of any sort in future to report it directly to us at Kick It Out."

Arnold was bailed and will return for sentencing on Friday, December 8.