No charges for Chelsea fan accused of Welbeck monkey gesture

Dec 13, 2012 2:25:00 PM

A 28-year-old man was arrested after pictures appeared to show him aiming the gesture at the Manchester United striker, but Metropolitan Police have decided to take no action

There will be no charges brought against the Chelsea fan arrested on suspicion of aiming a monkey gesture at Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

The 28-year-old man was arrested after pictures taken during the Blues' Capital One Cup fourth-round victory over United on October 31 appeared to show him directing the gesture at Welbeck.

But after examining CCTV footage of the incident and interviewing other fans in the crowd, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have decided not to bring charges.

"The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) takes any allegation of racist chanting and/or behaviour very seriously and if any matters are brought to our attention they will of course be thoroughly investigated," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

"The MPS routinely work very closely with football clubs and partner agencies to monitor behaviour to ensure public confidence and safety."

Last December Chelsea vowed to ban any fans found guilty of racist abuse after Daniel Sturridge was allegedly the target of racist chants, and earlier this year a supporter received a lifetime ban after admitting to abusing former Blues striker Didier Drogba.

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