Three more charged over Yorke abuse

Three Blackburn men have been charged in connection with alleged racial abuse hurled at Dwight Yorke during a football match, police said today.

The men were arrested following police raids at their homes yesterday evening, said a Lancashire Police spokeswoman.

It is claimed fans hurled monkey chants and gestured towards Yorke during Blackburn Rovers' clash with Birmingham City on November 21.

Shaun Baxter, 35, of Belper Street, Andrew Roberts, 19, and Brian Hargreaves, 20, both of Arron Street, will appear before Blackburn magistrates tomorrow charged with racially aggravated public order offences.

Last month, Jason Perryman and David Ashcroft, appeared before magistrates charged in connection with the same alleged incident.

Perryman, 22, of Chorley, Lancashire, was fined £1,000 with £75 costs and given a five-year football banning order after pleading guilty to the charge on November 25.

Ashcroft, 21, of Brantwood Drive, Leyland, Lancashire, denied the offence and was bailed to return to Blackburn Magistrates' Court on December 22.