Football fan killed himself over shame from being caught making racist gesture

A football fan took his own life just hours after police launched an investigation into a racist gesture at a match.

Chester FC fan Andrew Hewitt, 52, ‘couldn’t face the embarrassment’ of a potential club ban or jail term, an inquest heard, and was found hanged at his home in Flint, North Wales, on December 1.

The day before, he had attended an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town.

After the match, a video emerged of a group of Chester fans making racist gestures, including a monkey gesture, towards a black Warrington player, a hearing at County Hall, Ruthin was told.

Chester FC quickly released a statement, condemning the video, and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action.

They said: ‘Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches.

In a statement, Mr Hewitt’s brother Alan said the father-of-one’s behaviour at the match was completely out of character. He said: ‘Andrew got caught up in the moment.’

He said he believed his brother read the club statement, together with comments online, and thought he would either face a lengthy ban or a custodial sentence – both of which he could ‘not face the embarrassment of.’

A note was found at Mr Hewitt’s home which read: ‘I f***** up. Sorry.’

A number of family members attended the brief hearing at County Hall, including long-term parnter Hayley Williams.

He was described as a ‘hard working individual’ who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years.

HM Coroner for North Wales John Gittins expressed his condolences as he told the family: ‘It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances.

‘I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed, and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives.’

Samaritans are here to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org for more information.

Cheshire Police said in a statement: ‘During the match between Warrington FC and Chester FC on Saturday, November 30, police were made aware of a racially aggravated public order offence.

‘The suspect was identified and was due to be spoken to at a later date about the matter.’

A similar incident in 2021 caused Newcastle FC to launch an investigation into an alleged racist gesture made by a fan towards a Tottenham player.

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