Image: Dreamstime/Arisa Suwannapeng
Kier has suspended one of its workers over allegations that they directed racist abuse towards players at the Manchester derby from the crowd at the weekend.
The 41-year-old man – thought to be a Manchester City fan – was arrested after he appeared to hurl abuse at Manchester United players during City’s 2-1 defeat at home.
City said it was “aware of a video circulating on social media” which appeared to show a supporter making monkey gestures when United midfielder Fred took a second-half corner. Fred also appeared to have been hit by an object during the incident.
Kier has a zero tolerance policy towards any racist and discriminatory behaviour. We can confirm an employee has been suspended pending an investigation.
— Kier Group plc (@kiergroup) 8 December 2019
In a tweet, Kier said: “Kier has a zero tolerance policy towards any racist and discriminatory behaviour. We can confirm an employee has been suspended pending an investigation.”
Superintendent Chris Hill of Greater Manchester Police’s City of Manchester Division said: “I would like to thank the public for their ongoing support with this incident.
“Racism of any kind has no place in football or our society and I hope this arrest shows that we are taking this matter extremely seriously.
“We will continue to work with Manchester City and Manchester United Football clubs on this incident and will investigate any other lines of enquiries.”
