POLICE are appealing for information after a Middlesbrough fan was alleged to have made a racist gesture toward Blackburn Rovers striker Rudy Gestede at the end of the Championship match between the sides on November 29.
Gestede netted five minutes into added time at the end of the Riverside Stadium encounter to earn Rovers a dramatic 1-1 draw.
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But moments after the final whistle he appeared to react angrily to something allegedly said to him from a stand housing Middlesbrough supporters.
Gestede was pictured doing a monkey action in attempt to mimic the gesture allegedly directed toward him from the stand.
“The incident took place as the players were applauding the away fans on the pitch at the final whistle at around 5pm,” said a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police.
“A Middlesbrough fan in the East Stand in block 40-42 was seen to make a gesture towards a Blackburn Rovers player which was perceived as racist and a complaint was made to police.”
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to contact PC Chris Hilton on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The FA has launched its own investigation after referee Mark Clattenburg included the incident in his official match report.
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