An Arsenal supporter has been handed a three-year football banning order after racially abusing midfielder Thomas Partey online. The fan, 28-year-old Charles Ogunmilade, admitted to posting a “grossly offensive” tweet targeting Partey after he missed a scoring opportunity during Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton on 21 April last year.
Ogunmilade’s post on X (formerly Twitter) read: “Nah, when Partey skied that shot I actually screamed you dirty black c***.” He later claimed the comment was intended as satire, mimicking the language of white racists.
Court Proceedings and Ogunmilade’s Defense
During the hearing, prosecutor Suleman Hussain stated that the post had been reported to the police, prompting officers to visit Ogunmilade’s residence. Describing the interaction, Hussain said, “The defendant appeared stunned and visibly afraid, with widened eyes and arched eyebrows.”
Ogunmilade explained to the police that the post was intended as a sarcastic comment within a private friendship group.
Representing himself in court, he further clarified that he and his friends often mocked racist remarks as a coping mechanism to diminish their emotional impact, referencing the racial abuse directed at black England players after the Euro 2020 final.
“Our way of dealing with it was to make fun of these comments, stripping them of their power,” Ogunmilade told the court.
He expressed concern about how the banning order, which includes the requirement to surrender his passport whenever England plays an away game, could affect his career prospects, including travel to the US and family visits to Nigeria. Ogunmilade stated, “I am not a racist person.”
Court’s Verdict
Magistrate Shaoni Myer acknowledged Ogunmilade’s early guilty plea, prior good character, personal experiences with racism, and intention for the tweet to be satirical. However, she emphasized that the nature of the offense warranted a banning order.
“We really have no choice,” Myer said. “Giving you a conditional discharge would not be appropriate.” Ogunmilade was fined £125, along with a £50 surcharge and an £85 contribution to prosecution costs.
Implications of the Banning Order
The three-year banning order prohibits Ogunmilade from attending football matches and requires him to surrender his passport during international fixtures involving England. This case highlights the broader issue of online abuse in football, emphasizing the need for accountability, even when offenders claim their comments are intended as satire.
