Man held over alleged racial abuse of TV pundit Ashley Cole at FA Cup tie
![Chelsea v Liverpool – Premier League – Stamford Bridge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UsDfWVfv7wtM9nN5xHAXvV-1200-80.jpg)
Police have arrested a man accused of racially abusing former England international Ashley Cole during an FA Cup third round tie.
A 24-year-old is in custody on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, Wiltshire Police said on Saturday.
Cole, who played left-back for Arsenal and Chelsea during a lengthy top-flight career, was part of the ITV broadcast team when Swindon played Manchester City at the County Ground earlier this month.
The incident reportedly occurred in the corner between the Town End and the Don Rogers stand, where the ITV punditry team was based.
Superintendent Phil Staynings, Swindon commander, said: “Racial abuse of any kind will never be tolerated by Wiltshire Police.
“We have worked closely with the football club, who share our strong stance on this, and would like to thank them for their support in our ongoing investigation.
“We continue to encourage people to report these types of incidents and I’m pleased that my officers have been relentless in securing this positive arrest.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
“We will continue to work with the club to stamp out hate crime of any kind that spoils matches for the majority of supporters.”
Premier League champions City eased past League Two Swindon 4-1 during the match on January 7.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack