Sebastien Bassong: Man charged over player race jibe

Sebastien Bassong Sebastien Bassong (right) scored Norwich's second goal in their 4-3 victory away to Swansea on the day in question

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A man has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence after a player at Swansea's Liberty Stadium was allegedly racially abused.

The incident happened at a Premier League match between Swansea and Norwich in December and involved Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong.

Lee Ward, 23, is charged with racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He will appear before Swansea Magistrates' Court on 20 March.

Mr Ward was questioned about the incident after the game and originally released on conditional bail.

Catrin Attwell, senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Wales, said: "The CPS has examined a file of evidence gathered by South Wales Police following a complaint made at the Swansea City v Norwich City match at the Liberty Stadium on 8 December, 2012.

"Our conclusion is that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Lee Ward with the offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986.

"We also conclude that this offence is racially aggravated in accordance with Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

"The defendant has been charged with this offence and will appear before Swansea Magistrates' Court on 20 March 2013."

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