Two arrested for racial slur against ex-footballer Andy Cole

Two men have reportedly been arrested on charges of racially abusing former Manchester United and England footballer Andy Cole on a flight from Dublin, Ireland to Manchester, England.

The men were allegedly drunk during the flight when the retired striker was subjected to racial slurs, according to officials, following which they were arrested after the flight landed at ManchesterAirport on Sunday and then taken to court, where they were charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

According to the Daily Star, Cole, who quit the game in 2008 and is the second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history with a total of 187 goals, has suffered numerous racial taunts throughout his career -- both on and off the pitch and so is heavily involved with the Kick It Out campaign along with other black footballers.

Cole, who won the Premier League five times with Manchester United after joining them in 1995 for a then record fee of seven million pounds, helped United win an historic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images