mdingwall
Administrator
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/feb/24/manchester-united-red-issue-suarez
No charge for Manchester United fanzine Red Issue over Suárez image
Jamie Jackson
Fri 24 Feb 2012 19.39 GMT
• Fanzine had spoof cut-out-and-keep Ku Klux Klan hood
• No action will be taken, says Crown Prosecution Service
Red Issue was distributed at the game where Luis Suárez, left, and Patrice Evra made their first appearance together after the racism allegations. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
The Manchester United fanzine Red Issue will not face charges for the spoof cut-out-and-keep Ku Klux Klan hood published on its back cover before the game with Liverpool this month, the Crown Prosecution has said.
On match day thousands of copies of the edition which carried the "Suárez is Innocent" image were seized by police and Nazir Afzal, the regional chief crown prosecutor, said: "I have decided that no further action will be taken in relation to allegations surrounding the publication and distribution of the 'Red Issue' fanzine at Old Trafford football ground on 11 February 2012."
There was heightened sensitivity surrounding the match, which United won 2-1, because it was the first time Liverpool's Luis Suárez had faced Patrice Evra since his eight-match ban for racially abusing the United left-back.
Afzal said: "During the investigation into the matter by Greater Manchester Police, the issue of potential incitement to racial hatred was raised. As a result I consulted the CPS's special crime and counter terrorism division, who are responsible for advising on suspected cases of incitement.
"Following this consultation I have received advice from a senior lawyer in that division that, although the fanzine distributed may have been offensive to some people, there was insufficient evidence to prove that the content was intended to stir up racial hatred, or that it was likely to do so. I have therefore concluded there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for incitement to racial hatred against any person.
"It is not a crime to possess material that is threatening, abusive or insulting, or hold views which others may find unpleasant and obnoxious. It is a crime to distribute this sort of material to the public, if it is intended to stir up racial hatred or in circumstances where it is likely to have that effect.
"In the file sent to us by the police we were also asked to give advice in relation to slogans on T-shirts seized at Old Trafford on the same day. I have decided also that no further action should be taken in relation to that material."
No charge for Manchester United fanzine Red Issue over Suárez image
Jamie Jackson
Fri 24 Feb 2012 19.39 GMT
• Fanzine had spoof cut-out-and-keep Ku Klux Klan hood
• No action will be taken, says Crown Prosecution Service
Red Issue was distributed at the game where Luis Suárez, left, and Patrice Evra made their first appearance together after the racism allegations. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
The Manchester United fanzine Red Issue will not face charges for the spoof cut-out-and-keep Ku Klux Klan hood published on its back cover before the game with Liverpool this month, the Crown Prosecution has said.
On match day thousands of copies of the edition which carried the "Suárez is Innocent" image were seized by police and Nazir Afzal, the regional chief crown prosecutor, said: "I have decided that no further action will be taken in relation to allegations surrounding the publication and distribution of the 'Red Issue' fanzine at Old Trafford football ground on 11 February 2012."
There was heightened sensitivity surrounding the match, which United won 2-1, because it was the first time Liverpool's Luis Suárez had faced Patrice Evra since his eight-match ban for racially abusing the United left-back.
Afzal said: "During the investigation into the matter by Greater Manchester Police, the issue of potential incitement to racial hatred was raised. As a result I consulted the CPS's special crime and counter terrorism division, who are responsible for advising on suspected cases of incitement.
"Following this consultation I have received advice from a senior lawyer in that division that, although the fanzine distributed may have been offensive to some people, there was insufficient evidence to prove that the content was intended to stir up racial hatred, or that it was likely to do so. I have therefore concluded there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for incitement to racial hatred against any person.
"It is not a crime to possess material that is threatening, abusive or insulting, or hold views which others may find unpleasant and obnoxious. It is a crime to distribute this sort of material to the public, if it is intended to stir up racial hatred or in circumstances where it is likely to have that effect.
"In the file sent to us by the police we were also asked to give advice in relation to slogans on T-shirts seized at Old Trafford on the same day. I have decided also that no further action should be taken in relation to that material."
