Fan charged over 'racist gesture'

Police have charged a man over an alleged racist gesture made during Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round victory over Manchester United.

Phillip Gannon, 58, of Heol Meirion, Barmouth, North Wales, has been charged with a racially aggravated section five public order offence and a section five public order offence, Merseyside Police said.

He has been bailed to appear at the Liverpool Community Justice Centre at 9.45am on April 20.

The alleged incident happened at Anfield on January 28 this year.

Earlier, a television image capturing a Liverpool fan making an alleged racist gesture during the clash was distributed on social networking websites, sparking a number of complaints to the force.

It was the first game between the rivals since the eight-match ban imposed on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the FA found him guilty of racially abusing United defender and captain Patrice Evra.

Before the match, in which Liverpool triumphed 2-1, the stadium announcer warned supporters that racist and homophobic behaviour would not be tolerated.

PA