Fan banned for three years over racist insult directed at Thomas Partey

A football fan, Charles Ogunmilade, has been banned from attending matches for three years after posting a racist comment targeting Ghanaian Arsenal player Thomas Partey on social media.

The incident occurred in April 2023 when Partey missed a shot during Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton. Ogunmilade, who is Black, admitted to posting a “grossly offensive” message on X (formerly Twitter). He claimed the post was intended as a parody of what a racist white person might say.

The offensive message was reported to the police, prompting a visit to Ogunmilade’s home. In court, he stated, “I am not a racist person,” insisting the comment was meant as sarcasm within a group of friends.

Magistrate Shaoni Myer acknowledged Ogunmilade’s early guilty plea, clean record, and personal experiences with racism but imposed the ban, which includes surrendering his passport whenever the England men’s national team plays abroad.

In addition to the ban, Ogunmilade was fined £260 ($325) in costs.

 

The post Fan banned for three years over racist insult directed at Thomas Partey first appeared on 3News.

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