MA Chester FC fan who allegedly made racist monkey gestures towards a black footballer during a local derby match has been found de@d just hours later.
The Chester FC supporter was spotted on camera performing a gesture towards Warrington Town player Bohan Dixon after a teammate had scored a goal.Objects were also thrown onto the pitch during ugly scenes at the Cal.Delivery Stadium during the National League North fixture in front of 2,296 fans on Saturday.Video footage was then circulated on social media and discussed among fans with one posting an image claiming to be of the man, who has not been identified.
Chester initially said it was ‘angry and dismayed at an alleged instance of racism’, and would share its video and photographic evidence with Cheshire Police.
The club added: ‘Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches.’Chester also condemned ‘the actions of a minority who are unable to behave responsibly’ and said the side now faced a Football Association investigation.In a shocking development, the club revealed this morning ‘it is with sadness Chester FC has been made aware of the tragic de@th of the individual involved’ and ‘the immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends.’Cheshire Police confirmed the man was ‘due to be spoken to at a later date’, before he d!ed yesterday in Flint, North Wales with no suspicious circumstances.
The incident happened when Dixon was celebrating his team’s opening goal in front of the 900 Chester fans after Connor Woods had scored from the penalty spot.The goal came in the 73rd minute, but Warrington captain Josh Amis was then sent off for violent conduct and Harrison Burke scored a Chester equaliser on the 85th.
The 1-1 result left Warrington in 18th place in the 24-team league, three points above the relegation zone. Chester are now in seventh, just within the play-off places.
A Cheshire Police spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘During the match between Warrington FC and Chester FC on Saturday, November 30 police were made aware of a racially aggravated public order offence.’The suspect was identified and was due to be spoken to at a later date about the matter.
‘Sadly, the man was reported to have died at an address in Flint on Sunday, December 1. There are no suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.’
The force added that the matter had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ‘in line with standard procedure’.
