Football fan charged with making racist gesture

A football fan who claimed he was doing a chicken dance has been charged with making a racist gesture at a Premier League game.

Liam Jones, 21, of East Vines, Sunderland, was arrested in November after photos apparently showed him making a monkey gesture after West Brom's Romelu Lukaku scored at the Stadium of Light. The Midlands side won 4-2.

Northumbria Police said: "Extensive inquiries have been carried out into the report and a 21-year-old man was arrested and has subsequently been charged with a racially aggravated offence."

Chief Superintendent Kay Blyth, Sunderland Area Commander, said: "We will not tolerate racist behaviour of any kind and will fully investigate any reports we receive."