Hartlepool teenager arrested over alleged racist Instagram comments made to former Pools player

Cleveland Police has confirmed it arrested a 15-year-old from Hartlepool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence in connection with comments made to a Peter Kioso, who is now a Luton Town Football Club player.

It said the comments are believed to have been made on a live Instagram feed on the evening of Wednesday, July 22, with the boy released under investigation as inquiries continue.

The Ireland-born right-back, whose parents are Congolese, appeared for Hartlepool from 2018 until January this year, when he was signed by Luton.

Kioso tweeted: “In 2020 seriously come on, a fan that used to sing my name wants to be doing this” copying in Hartlepool United and a screengrab of the comment.

The incident follows two earlier inquiries into suspected racist behaviour linked to Hartlepool fans earlier this season.

Pools were found guilty by the Football Association for failing to ensure their spectators refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour, which included a reference to race and/or colour, during their 2-0 home defeat to Dover Athletic on Saturday, September 21.

Then on Saturday, March 7, Saturday’s the side’s 1-0 defeat against Ebbsfleet United at Victoria Park was tarnished by two claims of racism and xenophobia from two visiting players, prompting an investigation from Pools.

A statement from Luton Town said: “All at Luton Town are appalled that discriminatory comments can be directed towards anyone in this day and age, but we are especially upset for one of our young players, Peter Kioso, who has been subject to shameful abuse this week – a week when he has made his club and league debut and rightly celebrated his role in helping us survive in the Championship."

Anyone with information which can help Cleveland Police's inquiries is asked to contact Sergeant Adrian Dack from the Football Intelligence Unit at Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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