Two charged over Cole racial abuse
TWO men have been charged in connection with the racial abuse of former manchester United star andy Cole on a flight from Dublin to manchester.
The pair, both in their 20s, were said to be drunk during the flight when the retired striker was subjected to racial slurs. The men were arrested when the aer Lingus flight touched down at manchester airport on sunday.
They appeared before Trafford magistrates’ Court yesterday where they were charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.
a greater manchester police spokesman said: “gregory Horan, 26, of no fixed abode, has been charged with being drunk in an aircraft and Lee patrick Byrne, 28, from Dublin, has been charged with a racially-aggra- vated public order offence.” The force confirmed officers were called to the airport in relation to an inbound flight from Dublin.
“Officers were responding to reports that a 42-year-old man was being subjected to racial abuse while on the plane, and that two passengers were drunk and would not co-operate with cabin staff,” a spokesman said.
Cole, 42, has suffered numerous racial taunts throughout his career – on and off the pitch.
He is heavily involved with the Kick it Out campaign, along with other black footballers, which aims to stamp out abuse from the stands and in the dressing room.