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United fan banned for alleged racial abuse of Alexander-Arnold

Alex Livesey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Manchester United have issued an indefinite stadium ban to a supporter who allegedly directed racist abuse toward Trent Alexander-Arnold during Sunday's match at Old Trafford.

The fan was ejected from the 1-1 draw with Liverpool and is no longer granted entry to United's home following an investigation by the club.

"Racism and all forms of discrimination are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our club," a United spokesperson said, as reported by the Guardian's Jamie Jackson. "Following our investigation into the alleged incidence of racist abuse on Sunday, we have issued an indefinite ban to the individual involved.

"This individual is not welcome at Old Trafford and we want to reinforce that we will continue to take strong action against anyone who we identify has engaged in racist or discriminatory abuse, either online or at our matches."

Tuesday's ruling can be appealed.

The fan's banishment follows a few days of English football which were marred by racism. Saturday's FA Cup meeting between Yeovil Town and Haringey Borough was abandoned after racism in the stands was apparently aimed at players from the latter club.

Chelsea also issued lifetime bans to three supporters on Tuesday after they racially abused a fellow Blues fan during a Europa League tie at Slavia Prague in April. The victim expressed "disappointment" to BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan that it took the club six months to reach a verdict.

In August, Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba were both targeted by racism on social media platforms, prompting the former to express concern that the country's fight against such mistreatment was "going backwards rather than forwards."

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