A man has been charged by the Metropolitan Police for wearing a shirt that appeared to mock the Hillsborough disaster at Saturday's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City.
James White, 33, of Warwickshire, has been charged with displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was bailed to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court in London on Monday, June 19.
He was arrested on Saturday evening after photographs emerged on social media of a man wearing a shirt which appeared to refer in offensive terms to those who died in the Hillsborough tragedy.
READ MORE: FA statement after Man Utd fan arrested for shirt appearing to mock Hillsborough
READ MORE: Hillsborough group slam 'despicable' actions of Utd fan arrested at FA Cup final
Photographs circulated of a man wearing a Manchester United shirt with words ‘Not Enough’ printed on the back above the number 97. It’s alleged the shirt was a direct reference to the number of Liverpool supporters whose lost their lives due to events at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough in April 1989.
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance has labelled the actions as a “despicable act”, with the Football Association having welcomed his arrest in strongly-worded statement that said there would be zero tolerance for such incidents.
An FA statement read: "The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley.
"We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator. Our security teams were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.
"We will not tolerate abuse relating to the Hillsborough of any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against the perpetrators."
