Cobblers fan charged with racially abusing a black player at Shrewsbury game
A COBBLERS supporter has now been charged by police with racially abusing a black footballer during an away match at Shrewsbury Town.
The 29-year-old man was formally charged by police in Shropshire following the alleged incident at Shrewsbury’s Greenhouse Meadow, on January 2.
The fan, who is from Northampton, is alleged to have shouted racist abuse at defender Jermaine Grandison during the 1-1 draw. He was arrested after a steward heard the alleged abuse during the match.
A spokesman for West Mercia Police yesterday said: “He was arrested on suspicion of carrying out a racially aggravated public order offence after making an abusive comment allegedly directed towards a Shrewsbury player during the League Two match with Northampton Town at the Greenhouse Meadow on January 2. He returned to Shrewsbury police station last night and was charged with a racially aggravated offence.
“The man, from Northamptonshire, had been bailed while police made further inquiries.”
The supporter is accused of using “threatening, abusive or insulting words”.
Northampton Town previously said the club would take “appropriate action” if the allegation was proved. Following the arrest a spokesman said: “We are very disappointed to learn of this allegation.
“Our supporters have a proud reputation for their behaviour and this sort of allegation is thankfully very rare. If this allegation is eventually proved then the club will consider taking the appropriate action as the offence alleged has no place in our society.”
The allegations come as England captain John Terry stands accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in a recent FA Cup tie, while Liverpool forward Luis Suarez received an eight match ban for abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
Oldham Athletic footballer Tom Adeyemi complained he was racially abused during a recent match at Anfield.
The Cobblers fan will now appear at Shrewsbury and North Shropshire Magistrates Court later this month.
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Comments
There are 19 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
lady muck
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 02:04 PMReginaldmolehusband..you are a cruel man...taking a friend to see the Cobblers as her first game of football ?
Reginald Molehusband
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:16 AMMissionOps - I have already offered to stand up in court in defence of this lad and I'm sure my real name will be made public in due course (strictly speaking this case in now sub judice). I do know him, but I am in my 50s and attended the game that day with a friend from Shrewsbury who was attending her first ever football match. She commented on how well behaved and how much fun the Cobblers fans were, as always. We truly have probably the best behaved support in the country as consistently seen in all the statistics season after season. You have chosen to make a presumption of guilt which is contrary to the principles of English law for centuries and seems to be prevalent in cases of this kind - one only has to look at the John Terry incident.
lady muck
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:25 PMbobscrabby....It isn't relevant whether you would be offended being called white honky or whatever. Fact is, racist abuse is offensive to most people, black, asian or otherwise. Whether it happened on this occasion, is for the courts to decide. In the meantime, the mystery fan is innocent
Links
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:19 PMSo, Mission0ps, you dismiss the observations of those that were at the game because they use a pseudonym and then offer your own presumption of what happened, even though you apparently weren't at the game, using a pseudonym! If their views lack credibility I'm not sure what we can say about yours!
bobscrabby
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:14 PMMy comments said I have been called a Honky and white trash also a pommy b******d , it dosent hurt why are people upset by it , I cant figure it out .
Mission0ps
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 05:57 PMBobsCrabby - So it's OK to shout abuse then is it? And all those around the accused . umm well same area friends or club supporters maybe (Moral support never the less) ..I wonder why no REAL names appear from those who claim nothing was said... A lot more creditability that way Reginald Molehusband. WHY would a steward go to the hassle of actually getting the guy arrested .. was he bored ? I doubt it he was feeing appalled at behaviour!
bobscrabby
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 05:50 PMMy earlier comments were along these lines no reason to cut them at all , sad one can not point out that people who are offended by this sort of thing are sadder than the comment cutter .
bobscrabby
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 05:47 PMSticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me .
bobscrabby
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 05:47 PMPending Moderation
bobscrabby
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 05:42 PMPending Moderation
mack80
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:54 PMWe hear this type of language even on our Tvs from so called Comedians and the audience falling about laughing at jokes that are so corny
4x4 fan
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:43 PMI'm just amazed at the amount of prosecutions being brought for both players and fans that are accused of racial abuse, be it gestures or words. However, for some reason both the Police and matchday stewards seem to turn a blind eye when fans taunt and shout rude and abusive words (F***ing W***er etc etc) at linesman and referies and never get prosecuted under Section 4 Public Order Act for using abusive words or behaviour likely to cause offence. Too much paperwork me thinks
SteveRiches
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12:50 PMThose who were nearby need to offer themselves as witnesses to further the cause of justice.
Tabasco kid
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12:42 PMThe person concerned is not a racist, and would not shout out anything of that nature. The steward concerned has clearly misheard something, or had a bad day at the office. Do not judge the lad until he is convicted, but in the absence of any evidence, i very much doubt that will happen.
23red
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:56 AMI was sitting behind him and also very clos eto Asante's family - There was NOTHING racist about any of his actions and although I know the 'offender' I am in now way shape or form a friend of his.
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