A West Ham United supporter has been banned from attending matches for three years after he pleaded guilty to racially abusing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
Bradley Thumwood, 48, was handed the ban after appearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following an incident during West Ham’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at the London Stadium on January 29.
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.
‘Thumwood was issued with a three-year Football Banning Order and fined £400. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs amounting to £125,’ the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
West Ham vowed to take a ‘zero-tolerance approach’ to any future incidents of a similar nature but also said they will look to educate Thumwood to reform his views.
‘The club works closely with Kick It Out and our fan group BAME Hammers,’ a club spokesperson said.
‘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 when supporters are allowed back into the stadium.
“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.
