Bristol City fan charged over racist incident at Huddersfield Town game

A Bristol City supporter has been charged after an alleged racial incident at a game against Huddersfield Town at Ashton Gate. The 67-year-old is accused of racially-aggravated abuse during the 3-2 defeat against the West Yorkshire side on December 18 last year.

Gareth Ralph, who lives in Southville, will appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on December 1. He is charged with racially-aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

This week, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised the charge following a lengthy investigation, and it was dispatched to him in the post.

Following the alleged incident at the game, Bristol City’s chief executive officer Richard Gould reaffirmed the club’s stance on racisim, stating it would not be tolerated at Ashton Gate.

Avon and Somerset Police issued a statement to Bristol World on the matter this week. It said: “Gareth Ralph, 67, of Southville, has been sent a postal requisition to attend Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 1 December to face a charge of causing racially-aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress in connection with an incident at BCFC v Huddersfield on 18 December 2021.”