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Sheffield Wednesday's Fernando Forestieri not guilty of racial abuse | Sheffield Wednesday's Fernando Forestieri not guilty of racial abuse |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A footballer has been acquitted of racially abusing an opposition player before a mass brawl. | A footballer has been acquitted of racially abusing an opposition player before a mass brawl. |
Prosecutors had alleged Sheffield Wednesday's Fernando Forestieri insulted Mansfield Town's Krystian Pearce during a pre-season friendly. | Prosecutors had alleged Sheffield Wednesday's Fernando Forestieri insulted Mansfield Town's Krystian Pearce during a pre-season friendly. |
Mansfield Magistrates' Court heard Mr Pearce had to be restrained during a "40-man brawl". | Mansfield Magistrates' Court heard Mr Pearce had to be restrained during a "40-man brawl". |
Mr Forestieri, 29, was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment and using threatening words or behaviour. | Mr Forestieri, 29, was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment and using threatening words or behaviour. |
District Judge Jonathan Taffe ruled Mr Pearce may have misheard Mr Forestieri as "it was very loud" at the ground on 24 July. | District Judge Jonathan Taffe ruled Mr Pearce may have misheard Mr Forestieri as "it was very loud" at the ground on 24 July. |
The court heard the incident began with a foul by Mr Forestieri on a Mansfield player which prompted his team-mates, including Mr Pearce, to react. | The court heard the incident began with a foul by Mr Forestieri on a Mansfield player which prompted his team-mates, including Mr Pearce, to react. |
The prosecution alleged this led to a "heated exchange of words" and while Mr Forestieri was speaking mainly in Spanish, he used derogatory racial terms. | The prosecution alleged this led to a "heated exchange of words" and while Mr Forestieri was speaking mainly in Spanish, he used derogatory racial terms. |
Mansfield manager David Flitcroft told the court he felt he had to pull Mr Pearce away from Mr Forestieri after being told about a "racist incident" by the fourth official. | Mansfield manager David Flitcroft told the court he felt he had to pull Mr Pearce away from Mr Forestieri after being told about a "racist incident" by the fourth official. |
Mr Pearce confronted Mr Forestieri after the match and the Owls star denied being racist, and apologised if the defender had "misheard". | Mr Pearce confronted Mr Forestieri after the match and the Owls star denied being racist, and apologised if the defender had "misheard". |
Giving evidence, Mr Forestieri also denied using any racist terms. | Giving evidence, Mr Forestieri also denied using any racist terms. |
He said: "No, I never said that, I'm not like that. I was very sad because I'm not a racist. The first rule in football is to respect your colleagues." | He said: "No, I never said that, I'm not like that. I was very sad because I'm not a racist. The first rule in football is to respect your colleagues." |
Mr Forestieri was banned for three games and fined £25,000 as a result of the brawl. | Mr Forestieri was banned for three games and fined £25,000 as a result of the brawl. |
On Twitter after the verdict, Mr Forestieri said he felt "vindicated by the decision of the judge". | |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
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