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Two men charged with racial abuse of former footballer Andy Cole Two men charged over alleged racial abuse of former footballer Andy Cole
(about 4 hours later)
Two men have appeared in court in connection with the racial abuse of former Manchester United star Andy Cole on a flight from Dublin to Manchester. Two men have appeared in court in connection with the alleged racial abuse of the former Manchester United star Andy Cole on a flight from Dublin to Manchester.
Two men were said to be drunk during the flight when the retired striker was subjected to racial slurs. The two men were said to be drunk during the flight when the retired striker was reportedly subjected to racial slurs.
The men, both aged in their 20s, were arrested when the Aer Lingus flight touched down at Manchester airport on Sunday.The men, both aged in their 20s, were arrested when the Aer Lingus flight touched down at Manchester airport on Sunday.
They appeared before Trafford magistrates court on Monday, where they were charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. They appeared before Trafford magistrates court on Monday, where one of them was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.
A Greater Manchester police spokesman said: "Gregory Horan, 26, of no fixed abode, has been charged with being drunk in an aircraft and Lee Patrick Byrne, 28, from Dublin, Republic of Ireland, has been charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence." A Greater Manchester police spokesman said: "Gregory Horan, 26, of no fixed abode, has been charged with being drunk in an aircraft and Lee Patrick Byrne, 28, from Dublin, Republic of Ireland, has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence."
Police confirmed officers were called to the airport in relation to an inbound flight from Dublin. Police confirmed that officers were called to the airport in relation to an inbound flight from Dublin.
"Officers were responding to reports that a 42-year-old man was being subjected to racial abuse while on the plane, and that two passengers were drunk and would not co-operate with cabin staff," a spokesman said."Officers were responding to reports that a 42-year-old man was being subjected to racial abuse while on the plane, and that two passengers were drunk and would not co-operate with cabin staff," a spokesman said.
Cole, 42, has suffered numerous racial taunts throughout his career – both on and off the pitch. Cole, 42, has suffered numerous racial taunts throughout his career, both on and off the pitch. He is heavily involved, along with other black footballers, in the Kick It Out campaign, which aims to stamp out abuse from the stands and in the dressing room.
He is heavily involved with the Kick It Out campaign along with other black footballers, which aims to stamp out abuse from the stands and in the dressing room.
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