A 17-year-old boy has been charged in connection with video footage showing youths shouting sick chants about the death of Sir Bobby Charlton on Saturday.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with a public order offence, police confirmed.
He has been bailed with conditions to not appear at any regulated football matches, and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Youth Court on 13 November 2023.
A 14-year-old boy who was voluntarily interviewed in connection with the incident will be dealt with out of court.
Sir Bobby Charlton died on Saturday at the age of 86, with his club donning black armbands for their first match since on Tuesday.
Manchester City fans have identified and banned two young supporters who sang offensive songs about Sir Bobby Charlton’s passing during their 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday
The Manchester United and England icon sadly passed away on Saturday, aged 86
It came after the two young fans were yesterday banned from matches at the club.
The chant followed the news of Charlton’s death being announced at half-time during Manchester City’s win over Brighton on Saturday.
Once the footage, which showed the fans shouting ‘Bobby’s in [a] box’, came to light online, City were quick to condemn the behaviour which took place at the Etihad stadium.
The club used CCTV footage to help identify the pair and confirmed on Thursday it had passed their details onto police.
‘Manchester City can confirm that two minors have been identified in connection with the vile chanting heard at the Etihad Stadium,’ a club statement read.
‘The individuals in question have subsequently been suspended from attending all home or away fixtures and their details have been shared with Greater Manchester Police who are investigating the matter.
An outpouring of tributes to the Manchester United and England icon have been placed at Old Trafford since the news was shared by his family
Man City have said the young fans are now subject of a Greater Manchester Police probe
Charlton lifts the European Cup in 1968 after Manchester United defeated Benfica to become the first English side to win the competition
‘Following the conclusion of Greater Manchester Police’s ongoing investigation, the individuals will be subject to the club’s official sanctions and bans process.’
The club previously issued an appeal to supporters asking for any information which might help identify the pair.
A spokesperson described the ‘offensive chanting from a small number of individuals’ as ‘extremely disappointing’.
They added: ‘The club condemns these chants in the strongest terms, and apologises unreservedly to the family and friends of Sir Bobby, and to all those at Manchester United.
‘On this day of all days, when the stadium stood to pay tribute to our own legend in Francis Lee, Manchester City supporters should understand and appreciate as keenly as anyone the need for respect in our game.’
The news comes ahead of a Manchester Derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.
There is hope that Charlton, who died at the age of 86, will be respected in the same way as the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, which coincided with the derby in February 2008.
He was the last surviving member of the 1966 World Cup winning England side.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.