Police have confirmed a football fan has been arrested after allegedly directing racist abuse towards Manchester United midfielder Fred during Saturday’s derby win over Manchester City.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of "a racially aggravated public order" following the game at the Etihad Stadium, Greater Manchester Police have said.
Footage appeared to show the fan in question making monkey gestures towards the Brazilian as he prepared to take a corner during the game at the Etihad.
City had already pledged to dish out a lifetime ban to any fan found guilty of racist behaviour, while the FA confirmed they would carry out a full investigation after a video highlighting the incident was circulated social media.
Fred told ESPN after the game that the abuse was evidence that “we are still in a backwards society”.
Fred was not the only United player to be on the receiving end of the abuse, with multiple players reporting the issue to referee Anthony Taylor.
United won the game 2-1, thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, leaving City trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 14 points in the race to defend their title.
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