A West Ham supporter has been banned from football for three years after pleading guilty to racially abusing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
Bradley Thumwood, 48, appeared in court on Tuesday to answer charges stemming from a January 29 match at London Stadium.
He was issued with a three-year football banning order, fined £400 and also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs amounting to £125.
Thumwood was originally summonsed on July 27 after being identified by officers as the fan who was verbally abusing Salah at the game, which Liverpool won 2-0.
West Ham are to offer Thumwood educational sessions to try to reform his views, “whilst reserving the right to uphold indefinite bans, should those efforts prove unsuccessful.”
A @WestHam fan has been banned for three years for racially abusing @LFC and Egypt star @MoSalah #Muslims #Islamophobia #Salah pic.twitter.com/E2Mk9YzeaI
— Islam Channel (@Islamchannel) October 15, 2020
“West Ham United is unequivocal in its stance – we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.
“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.”
The Metropolitan Police’s dedicated football officer PC Andy Sheldon said: “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.
“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.”
