Kier has suspended a member of staff following allegations of racial abuse at the Manchester derby on Saturday (7 December)
The employee in question was arrested after live TV footage revealed a supporter making allegedly racist gestures at the Manchester derby match.
The 41-year-old man remains in custody for questioning following his arrest for racially aggravated public order.
The man was arrested after objects and racist abuse appeared to be targeted at Manchester United players.
Believed to be a City fan, the man was filmed directing what appeared to be monkey gestures and sounds towards Manchester United players.
Social media circled with rumours that the accused person worked at Kier and eventually the firm responded via Twitter.
It said: “We’re aware of a video circulating on social media. We take allegations and instances of racism very seriously and are currently investigating potential links between the individual involved and Kier.”
We’re aware of a video circulating on social media. We take allegations and instances of racism very seriously and are currently investigating potential links between the individual involved and Kier.
— Kier Group plc (@kiergroup) December 7, 2019
The company added: “Kier has a zero tolerance policy towards any racist and discriminatory behaviour. We can confirm an employee has been suspended pending an investigation.”
Glad Kier are investigating their staff member for the horrid racial abuse today at the Manchester derby.
Seen a few comments aimed at him for being ex-military and I’d like to ask you not to tarnish us all with the same brush as him. There’s always one idiot.Stamp racism out! https://t.co/NkF3Lyb1pP
— Anthony Lock 🏴🇬🇧 (@BrokenByWar) December 7, 2019
Police Superintendent Chris Hill of the City of Manchester Division, said: “I would like to thank the public for their ongoing support with this incident.
“Racism of any kind has no place in football or our society and I hope this arrest shows that we are taking this matter extremely seriously.
“We will continue to work with Manchester City and Manchester United Football clubs on this incident and will investigate any other lines of enquiries.”
Kier’s ethics policy
Within Kier’s business ethics policy, it states “the group values the diversity provided by gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin.”
It also outlines “Kier’s reputation as a group depends largely upon its people and how they interact with stakeholders within and outside the organisation as well as how they behave in the public domain outside their place of work.”
