West Ham fan banned from football for three years for racially abusing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah
Forty-eight-year-old Bradley Thumwood pleaded guilty to targeting the Egyptian international with Islamophobic abuse during January’s 1-1 draw between West Ham and Liverpool
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Your support makes all the difference.A West Ham United fan has been banned from football for three years after pleading guilty to racially abusing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah during a Premier League match in January.
Bradley Thumwood, 48, from Pickford Road in Bexleyheath, was handed a three-year football banning order after appearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following an incident at the London Stadium towards the start of the year.
In a video that was captured during the Premier League encounter, a male voice can be heard shouting: “Salah you f****** Muslim. F****** Muslim c***. F*** off.”
Thumwood pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated Section 5 public order, and he was also fined £400 on top of the football stadium ban. He was also told to pay a victim surcharge and costs of £215.
West Ham have welcomed the ban and promised to take a “zero-tolerance approach” to any future incidents of a similar nature, but also stressed that they will look to educate Thumwood to reform his views.
The Premier League club also said it will not rule out imposing a lifetime ban if that offer is not taken up.
A West Ham United spokesperson said: “West Ham United is unequivocal in its stance - we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Equality and diversity are at the heart of the Football Club and we are committed to continue ensuring that everyone who enters London Stadium is free to enjoy watching their team play football in an inclusive environment.
“The club works closely with Kick It Out and our fan group Bame Hammers. In conjunction with those parties, the club will offer educational sessions to the individual in question in an effort to reform their views, whilst reserving the right to uphold their indefinite bans, should those efforts prove unsuccessful.”
Dedicated Football officer PC Andy Sheldon urged other football fans to report any future instances of discrimination, once supporters are allowed back into matches across the country, in order to stamp out racism within the sport.
“We do not, and will not tolerate hate crime of any kind at football matches and will take action against those who are found to have committed these kinds of crimes during games,” PC Sheldon said.
“We are committed to working closely with football clubs to identify anyone behaving inappropriately and breaking the law. We are grateful for the support of West Ham United Football Club and for their commitment to eradicating this type of behaviour.
“We ask anyone who sees or hears this type of behaviour to speak to stewards or police.”