A Wolves fan made a “monkey gesture” at former England defender Rio Ferdinand – among other racist abuse – 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 23 May last year.

During the prosecution’s opening of the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, footage was played to the jurors, allegedly showing him making the racist gesture.

Mr Ferdinand, 43, had been at the game – the first time fans had returned to ground since the start of the pandemic – working as a television pundit for BT Sport, the court heard.

He is set to give evidence to the court later on Monday.

While some fans were engaged in “harmless banter and fun” with the TV presenter, the defendant took this a step further, “engaging in unpleasant hand gestures, and jumping up and down”.

Jason Aris, for the prosecution, said Mr Ferdinand “decided to ignore this behaviour”, adding: “He wasn’t going to give him the attention Mr Arnold appeared to desperately crave.”

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‘Not only was it offensive, it was racist’

Turning to the alleged offence, Mr Aris said: “The defendant was in the Billy Wright Stand, and put his hands underneath his armpits and started to jump around.

“The prosecution say he was clearly trying to imitate a monkey, clearly, we say, in the direction of Mr Ferdinand – not only was it offensive, but also racist.”

During the opening speech, the jury was played a 25-second video taken from a lengthier piece of footage showing a male standing in the stand and gesturing in the way described.

The barrister said: “In case there was a sliver of doubt about whether this defendant was intending to be racist or offensive, you will hear evidence from people at the match who heard him say ‘Rio, you f****** monkey’.”

He added that Arnold had been “unpleasant early into the match”, and had “started to hurl homophobic abuse at the referee, Mike Dean”.

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‘I’ve been a stupid c***’

The barrister went on: “This defendant was clearly under the influence of alcohol that day, slurring his words and unsteady on his feet.”

When arrested and cautioned by police at the ground, Arnold allegedly replied: “I knew as soon as I’d done it, I’d been a stupid c***.”

“The prosecution say this is important because this is a clear admission of guilt by this defendant – that he’d done something offensive, racist and unpleasant.”

Arnold will claim he was making monkey gestures “towards his father” who was standing next to him in the stand. He denies he made any racist or offensive shouts.

The trial, expected to last a week, continues.

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