Football fan found dead day after racism allegation

Cheshire Police said they received reports of a racially aggravated public order offence at a match between Warrington Town and Chester

A Chester FC fan who faced allegations of racism at a football match has been found dead.

Cheshire Police said they were due to speak to the man, from Flintshire, following reports of a racially aggravated public order offence at the game at the Warrington Town FC ground on Saturday.

But he was found dead at an address in Flint on Sunday, officers said.

They added there were no suspicious circumstances and a file would be prepared for the coroner, with the matter referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as standard procedure.

Posting on social media, Chester FC said it was with sadness that the club had been made aware of the death of the man.

They wrote: "The immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends."

On Sunday, and before news of the man's death was announced by police, the club posted on X to say 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 said they had "acted swiftly to obtain video and photographic evidence of the incident" and the matter would be subject to an FA investigation, with information shared with Cheshire Police.

The statement added: "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 said the team "appreciate the exceptional support received from the 900 Chester fans who attended the game, but the club now faces an FA investigation".