Wolves fan made ‘monkey gesture’ at Rio Ferdinand during match, court told

COURT: Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (left) leaving Wolverhampton Crown Court, where he is due to give evidence later this afternoon Pic: Richard Vernalls/PA

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 May 23 last year.