Warks man charged after arrest during the FA Cup final

A LOCAL man has been charged after allegedly wearing a shirt mocking the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy during the final of the FA Cup.

James White will appear in court later this month after being arrested on Saturday, June 3, at Wembley Stadium as Man Utd and Man City met.

White, 33, of Warwickshire, was detained after allegedly being seen wearing a Manchester United shirt with 97 on the back, alongside the words ‘Not Enough.’ White has since been bailed to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 19. Metropolitan Police said ‘the defendant has the right to a fair trial’ after claims about the matter were widely shared on Twitter on Saturday, June 3.

A statement read: “A man has been charged after being arrested during the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. James White, 33, of Warwickshire was charged on Sunday, June, 4, with displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

“He was bailed to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 19. He was arrested after being seen wearing a shirt which appeared to refer in offensive terms to those who died in the Hillsborough tragedy.”

Earlier on Sunday, the FA said in a statement that it had carried out inquiries after reports emerged of the shirt being worn. They said: “We welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police. We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators.”

A further 22 people were arrested during the course of the policing operation around Wembley for offences including assault, possession of drugs, drunk and disorderly behaviour and affray.