28 April 2024 , 21:31
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Greater Manchester Police have confirmed an individual has been charged and bailed after a supporter in the away section was arrested following the Premier League game between Manchester United and Burnley.
Videos shared on social media appeared to show an individual mocking the Munich Air Disaster, in which a number of Manchester United players and staff lost their lives in 1958.
Burnley had issued a statement on Saturday condemning the supporter and describing tragedy chanting as "completely unacceptable". At the time, the club said it was working with authorities to identify the individual or individuals responsible.
The match at Old Trafford ended all-square. Manchester United took the lead 11 minutes from time through Antony, only for Zeki Amdouni to equalise from the penalty spot.
In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Greater Manchester Police issued an update. "We can confirm that we have charged Nathan Rawlinson (25/08/1979) of Bacup, Lancashire with Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and has since been bailed," it began.
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"This charge is after our Specialist Operational football investigation team made an arrest of a man in the away section of the Old Trafford crowd who was tragedy chanting yesterday (Saturday 27 April 2024) towards the end of the Manchester United v Burnley fixture," the police statement continued. "As we have enforced recently, continued incidents of tragedy chanting by anyone will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.
"We understand the interest this case will have generated but it is imperative that the suspect has a fair trial so members of the public must refrain from engaging in conversations online, at least until proceedings have concluded. Previously circulated videos should be removed."
The match between Manchester United and Burnley ended all-square (Offside via Getty Images)"There is no place for football tragedy abuse in our game," a Premier League statement, also issued on Sunday, read. "We strongly condemn this behaviour and sanctions are in place to ensure anybody found guilty faces consequences. We continue to treat this as an unacceptable issue and fully support Burnley FC, Manchester United and the police in identifying and prosecuting those responsible."
Burnley's statement had arrived late on Saturday. “We are aware of offensive footage currently circulating on social media from the away end of today’s fixture at Old Trafford," it began.
“Tragedy related gesturing and chanting is completely unacceptable and Burnley Football Club take a zero-tolerance approach. We will continue to work with Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and Manchester United to help identify and prosecute the individuals responsible.”
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