Football fan dies following racism allegation

A supporter of Chester FC, against whom allegations of racism at a football match had been made, has been discovered deceased. Cheshire Police stated they were scheduled to interview the man, from Flintshire, concerning reports of a racially aggravated public order offense that occurred during a game at the Warrington Town FC ground on Saturday. However, officers reported that he was found dead at an address in Flint on Sunday. They added that no suspicious circumstances were present, and a file would be prepared for the coroner, with the case referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as a standard procedure. Chester FC conveyed on social media that the club had learned of the man’s death with sadness. They wrote: “The immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends.” On Sunday, prior to the police announcing the man’s death, the club had posted on X, stating they were “angry and dismayed at an alleged instance of racism directed at a Warrington Town player during yesterday’s National League North fixture”. They further mentioned that they had “acted swiftly to obtain video and photographic evidence of the incident” and that the matter would be subject to an FA investigation, with information shared with Cheshire Police. The statement also declared: “Chester FC condemns all forms of discrimination and abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches.” The club noted that the team “appreciate the exceptional support received from the 900 Chester fans who attended the game, but the club now faces an FA investigation”.