The 37-year-old handed himself in on Wednesday morning
A man has been arrested over social media posts directed at England football players after their heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat.
Greater Manchester Police said that he handed himself in at Cheadle Heath police station. Officials are not able to confirm the man’s identity at this stage, but said that he was from Ashton-Upon-Mersey.
He has been arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Malicious Communications Act, and is currently in custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Matt Gregory said: “The actions of a small number of people overshadowed what was a hugely unifying event for our country on Sunday evening. We are firm in our commitment, any racist abuse whether online or off is not acceptable.
“We now have one man in custody and our investigation continues.”
#ARREST | A man has been arrested after social media posts were directed towards England football team players following #Euro2020 final. The suspect, aged 37, self-presented at Cheadle Heath police station this morning (14 July 21). Read more: https://t.co/PJbPEXq1M6
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 14, 2021
This is the latest of a number of arrests made by police across the country in relation to abuse directed at England players following Sunday’s match.
Two men were arrested by West Mercia Police over racist abuse targeted at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.
One of the men, a 50-year-old man from Powick, near Worcester, was detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
According to local media, the tweet said that Rashford’s MBE “needs burning ya fake” and added that he should return to his “own country.”
The man in question, Nick Scott, claims that he had “nothing to do with it” and that he was hacked.
Anyone with information on the abuse of England players is being encouraged by Greater Manchester Police asked to contact them on 0161 856 4973 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
