Football fan ‘arrested’ over racist abuse at Man Utd’s Fred is Army veteran – as family receive death threats
A FOOTBALL fan “arrested” over the horrific racist abuse aimed at Manchester United player Fred yesterday is a British Army veteran.
A disturbing video posted on social media showed Anthony Burke making sick monkey chants towards the footballer during the Red Devils’ 2-1 victory at the Etihad.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a man has been detained although they offered no further details.
Burke was filmed making the vile gestures towards Fred – moments before the Brazilian midfielder was pelted with missiles near the corner flag.
The father, who is a Man City fan, appears to have served in Northern Ireland and is a civil engineering manager at Kier Group, according to his Facebook profile.
His former partner named only as Amy, of of Wythenshawe, Manchester, told the MailOnline that he was arrested this morning by cops and that his family have received death threats.
She said: “He was arrested this morning. He doesn’t live with me. It’s horrible – I have had death threats and my kids.
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“I have been in tears. I am really surprised – this is not like him – his family are black.”
His employer Kier Group plc tweeted: ‘We’re aware of a video circulating on social media.
“We take allegations and instances of racism very seriously and are currently investigating potential links between the individual involved and Kier.”
In 2014, Burke posted on Facebook: “Anyone know of any memorials about were (sic) I could get some flowers from (sic) the wife just realise its valentines day tomoz.”
This comes after it emerged the Football Association is probing the allegations of racist abuse during the match at the Etihad Stadium.
City swiftly issued a statement saying the club was working with Greater Manchester Police and the FA was planning to talk to the clubs, referee Anthony Taylor and other relevant parties.
A spokeswoman told the PA news agency: “We will be investigating.”
Brazil international Fred was hit struck by a lighter hurled from the crowd as the visitors prepared to take a corner.
Following the incident, the £52m footballer said he only learned of the racist abuse when his teammates showed him footage in the dressing room
He said: “Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society. (It is a shame) we still have to live with that in 2019.
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“On the field, I didn’t see anything. I saw it only in the locker room afterwards.
“The guys showed me. He even threw a lighter and it hit me. I try not to care about that. I try to look ahead.
“Unfortunately, this is happening in some stadiums. It happened here, it happened in Ukraine with some friends.
“It’s sad, but we have to keep our heads up and forget about that.”
Unfortunately, we are still in a backward society.
United player Fred
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Fred and Jesse (Lingard) were in the corner, taking a corner, and I’ve seen the video, heard from the boys.
“We keep talking about it every bloody week. But he’s been caught on camera. He should, in my opinion, never be allowed into a football ground again and I’ve seen the video. Unacceptable.”
City’s statement read: “Manchester City FC are aware of a video circulating on social media which appears to show a supporter making racial gestures during the second half of the match against Manchester United this evening.
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“Officials from the club are working with Greater Manchester Police in order to help them identify any individuals concerned and assist with their enquiries.
“The club are also working with GMP regarding an instance of objects being thrown onto the field of play.
“The club operates a zero tolerance policy regarding discrimination of any kind, and anyone found guilty of racial abuse will be banned from the club for life.”