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Manchester United Fanzine 'Red Issue' Cleared Over Ku Klux Klan Image At Liverpool Game

Kukluxklansuarez

The Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 24/02/2012 17:45 Updated: 24/02/2012 17:45

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The Crown Prosecution service won't take action against independent Manchester United fanzine Red Issue, after 1,600 copies were confiscated over a "potentially offensive image".

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS North West Area said: “I have decided that no further action will be taken in relation to allegations surrounding the publication and distribution of the ‘Red Issue’ fanzine at Old Trafford football ground on 11 February 2012," reported the Daily Telegraph.

A cut-out-and-keep Ku Klux Klan hood with the message "Suarez is innocent" featured on the fanzine's back page, ahead of United's league clash against Liverpool two weeks ago. This was in reference to the Uruguayan striker's eight-match ban for racially abusing United left-back Patrice Evra, and Liverpool's vehement support of him.

On Twitter Red Issue were typically sardonic in their reaction of the CPS' verdict:


Red Issue
We will not be charged by the CPS after an investigation into 'potential incitement of racial hatred' regarding latest issue

Greater Manchester Police would not allow any supporters to enter Old Trafford carrying the fanzine, it was reported.

Red Issue has been sold at Old Trafford and a number of away grounds since its formation in the late 1980s. It recently released its 250th issue and is largely recognised as being the instigator of United supporters' 2010 'green and gold' protest against owner Malcolm Glazer.


Patrice Evra confronts Luis Suarez after the Liverpool forward refused to shake his hand during the Old Trafford fixture

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GearoidOD
66 Fans
11:08 AM on 02/25/2012
So if Suarez had made some 'satirical' comment about the KKK, what would the reaction have been ? He'd probably have ended up in the dock like John Terry. Same laws but different interpretation. Is this a case of being white makes you more likely to be prosecuted ?
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Chemical Viking
12 Fans
 
12:44 AM on 02/25/2012
This was a gutless move by the police in the first place. They are getting more and more involved in how we can and cannot behave and no common sense is being applied. It's quite shocking.

In this instance it even appears like they were never going to prosecute, because they didn't need to investigate in the detail they did before they dropped the charges. It's there in print. You assert whether it was wrong and then either charge them or you don't. They wanted to diffuse the situation by making a few short term arrests and then quietly dropping the matter when the heat died down. That is not good policing because it makes victims of people and bullies them into future silence where none is needed.

Anyone with half a brain can see this was not racist. It's accusing someone of having a racist reaction. It's satirical. In a fanzine, it's perhaps not the best format, but the powers that be really need to keep their noses out and stop controlling innocent people in this way.

I hasten to add Private Eye freely admits this week that they made a similar joke about John Terry to the whole nation a few weeks back and were not so much as contacted.
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UKVisitor
420 Fans
06:29 AM on 02/25/2012
I agree. Red Issue has been badly treated and should sue for lost earnings and whatever else they can get. This was a dumb and repressive over reaction
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