A PENSIONER will stand trial for allegedly making a racist gesture towards a trio of Rovers' black players.

Ernest Goult, 72, is accused of an incident which took place during Blackburn's 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Three of Gary Bowyer's star players - striker Rudy Gestede, midfielder Lee Williamson and defender Markus Olsson - are expected to give evidence during the trial.

Goult, wearing a dark blue suit and pink, open-necked shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and deny the charge at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The court was told that a police officer would also be giving evidence and the prosecution would produce CCTV footage.

The Championship game, on November 29 last year, saw Benin international Gestede score a controversial injury-time goal to secure a 1-1 draw for Rovers.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka was sent to the stands for arguing with officials in the aftermath of the goal, which he believed came about as the result of a foul on Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.

On-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford had given the home side the lead before Gestede's goal, which came four minutes into 10 minutes of added time.

At the time, Cleveland police said the alleged gesture took place at around 5pm as the Blackburn players applauded their own fans after the final whistle.

Gestede, 26, who was born in France, appeared to react angrily to a gesture in the crowd.

Mr Goult, from Redcar, North Yorkshire, has no previous convictions and was granted unconditional bail until the case returns to the magistrates' court in June.

The Football Association is also investigating the incident after the referee, Mark Clattenburg, included it in his official report.