THE BRITISH INQUISITION

Liverpool footballer, Steve Finnan, has been accused of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in a match between the two teams on the 22 January. Mr Evra was born in Senegal and has a French passport.

The basis of the allegation is not a complaint by Mr Evra, or any of those present at the time. The allegation has been made by two deaf people who watched the match on television.

A police source said:

‘We have never before had to investigate allegations of racial abuse reported by people with impaired hearing, who are obviously much better at lip-reading.

We believe this is a truly unique case and if the evidence is strong enough, then the perpetrator could face charges.’

The Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing television footage of the match. They are to ask lip-readers to analyse what was said.

Mr Finnan, who is from Limerick, has denied the allegation.

The maximum sentence for someone found guilty of a racially aggravated offence is two years in jail.