Wolves fan on trial for racial abuse of Rio Ferdinand

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand was subjected to "offensive, racist, unpleasant" abuse including a monkey gesture by a football fan during a Premier League match, a court has heard.

Jamie Arnold is accused of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to Mr Ferdinand by using "threatening, abusive or insulting" words or behaviour at the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United match at Molineux on 23 May last year.

During the prosecution's opening of the 32-year-old’s trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, footage was played to jurors, allegedly showing him making a racist gesture.

Mr Ferdinand had been at the game – the first time fans had returned to ground since the start of the coronavirus pandemic – working as a television pundit for BT Sport, the court heard.

The former United star is set to give evidence about the incident later on Monday.

Opening the prosecution case, Jason Aris said the game at which the alleged incident happened was supposed to be "a joyous day for football fans in Wolverhampton", allowed to watch their first home game since the easing of restrictions.

He added: "The match was one eagerly anticipated by football fans who had not been able to attend a football match in excess of 15 months."

Ferdinand was at the game, kicking off at 4pm as a pundit but also a fan of the away side, as a former player, jurors heard.

He was up on a gantry area in the Billy Wright Stand while "below were numerous Wolves supporters, engaging in harmless banter with him".

Mr Aris said: "Wolverhampton Wanderers football club supporters took great pleasure in giving what could be colloquially called 'a bit of stick’ to Mr Ferdinand, when their team was gaining the upper hand over Manchester United.

"The