Free speech fear as soccer magazine's KKK spoof banned: Thousands confiscated over Suarez race row

By Jaya Narain

Last updated at 1:55 AM on 13th February 2012

Police chiefs were accused of criminalising free speech yesterday with their confiscation of a satirical football fanzine.

Thousands of copies of Red Issue were seized before Saturday's heated clash between Manchester United and Liverpool.

The fanzine had tried to make fun of Liverpool and their striker Luis Suarez for his use of racist language toward United captain Patrice Evra.

Satire: The cover of Red Issue, as sold outside Old Trafford football ground, prior to Saturday's match between Manchester United and Liverpool

Along with a spoof cut-out of a Ku Klux Klan hood were the words 'Suarez is innocent' and 'LFC' – for Liverpool Football Club.

Officers deemed this 'potentially offensive' and threatened to arrest anyone selling the fanzine. Thousands of copies were seized.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts, who was in charge of policing the fixture, said: 'We cannot be in a situation where hundreds or thousands of people were displaying offensive images.

'Shortly before kick-off we were made aware that a Manchester United supporters' fanzine being sold outside Old Trafford featured a potentially offensive image.

'Officers are now seizing the fanzines and in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service we will take appropriate action against anyone either found selling this particular fanzine or provocatively displaying the image in public.'

Officers said they feared the images might stir up violence at a match between two intense rivals.

Final whistle: Evra celebrates the win as Suarez walks off

Crackdown: Police seized thousands of copies of Red Issue before Saturday's heated clash

But a spokesman for campaign group Liberty said: 'It's one thing for the police to take action in fear of a riot being provoked at a tense football match.

'But threatening seizure and prosecution of the fanzine after the event is really a step too far. When lampooning racism becomes a criminal matter you realise just how dangerously broad our speech offences have become.'

Fans said police had overstepped their policing duties prior to the match.

'It is a total disgrace that police felt they could take such draconian measures,' said Eddie Reid, 51, from Salford.

'When has freedom of speech, something which is ingrained in civilised societies, been decided by one policeman overseeing a football match?

Controversy: Evra grabs Suarez's arm after his attempt to shake the striker's hand was refused

'I would suggest the chief superintendent is instructed in the limits to his policing powers.'

Josh Lennon, 48, of Cheshire, said: 'It is time the police were policed because they consistently overstep the mark when it comes to our civil liberties.

'Quite clearly this fanzine was satirical and, while it had the potential to cause trouble, police officers cannot go around threatening people with arrest for owning a copy. It is ridiculous.'

Boiling point: Referee Phil Dowd leads Suarez away after the final whistle, shortly before tempers flared between players in the tunnel

Relations between Liverpool and Manchester United – the two most successful English clubs – have become strained over recent months.

The Football Association banned Suarez in December for eight games and fined him ?40,000 for his remarks to Evra in a game in October.

Tempers frayed again when the Liverpool player refused to shake Evra's hand before the match on Saturday, which United won 2-1.

Evra had to be restrained by teammates on the pitch and there were reports that players from both teams clashed in the tunnel at half time.

Suarez yesterday issued an apology for failing to shake Evra's hand and admitted letting down his club.

David Cameron stepped into the row by saying he would stage a Downing Street summit on football racism.

He and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will hold a 'round table discussion' with the sport's authorities and players' representatives.

The event, scheduled for later this month, comes amid growing fears that high-profile incidents are harming the image of the game in England.

Mr Hunt said the furore showed 'you can never be complacent' and he condemned the Suarez-Evra spat as 'incredibly depressing'.

Of the Suarez non-handshake, he said: 'It was very unsporting behaviour and I am sure the FA will look in to see if any rules were broken.

'This is the kind of thing that can so easily escalate, which is why the Prime Minister has decided that he's going to take a real interest and have this meeting in Downing Street.'

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Free speech fear as soccer magazine's KKK spoof banned: Thousands confiscated over Suarez race row