Nov 26, 2024, 02:27 PM ET
A fan who racially abused Arsenal player Thomas Partey in a social media post was banned from attending all games for three years on Tuesday.
Charles Ogunmilade, who is Black, admitted to sending a “grossly offensive” message on X, which he claimed was satire of what a racist white person would say.
He posted the offensive comment in April 2023 after Partey, a Ghana international who is Black, missed a shot during Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.
The court in London was informed the post on X was reported to the police, who visited Ogunmilade’s home. He said the comment was intended to be a sarcastic quote among a group of friends.
“I am not a racist person,” Ogunmilade said in court.
While issuing his sentence, magistrate Shaoni Myer said Ogunmilade’s early guilty plea, prior good character and experience of racism were taken into account.
The soccer banning order also requires him to surrender his passport to police whenever the England men’s national team plays an away game abroad. He was ordered to pay a fine and costs totaling £260 ($325).
