Police arrest 49-year-old man on suspicion of racially abusing Romaine Sawyers on social media

A 49-year-old man has been arrested by police on suspicion of racially abusing West Brom‘s Romaine Sawyers during the defeat by Manchester City in midweek.

Albion immediately contacted West Midlands police after the 29-year-old midfielder received a racist message on social media during the 5-0 home defeat at the Hawthorns. 

And now West Midlands police force confirmed late on Friday night that a ’49-year-old man from Kingswinford was this evening taken into police custody for questioning.’

Romaine Sawyers was the subject of vile online abuse during West Brom’s defeat by Man City

The police statement added: ‘Our dedicated football hate crime officer is also investigating another report of a racist comment towards the same footballer. We will not tolerate racism.’

After being made aware of the vile abuse on social media, West Brom released a statement pledging to ban the sender for life.  

A West Brom statement read: ‘Everyone at the club is appalled by the abhorrent message which was sent during Tuesday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester City. 

‘The club has a proud history of confronting all forms of discrimination and will assist the authorities with their inquiries, seeking the toughest available legal punishment, as well as a lifetime ban from The Hawthorns for the individual responsible.

‘Albion will offer Romaine the relevant support required at this time and continues with its long-standing commitment to help rid football of racism.

‘There is No Room For Racism. Anywhere.’

In a statement, West Brom condemned the abuse and promised a lifetime ban to the sender

On his public Instagram page, Sawyers is a visible support of the PFA’s ‘ENOUGH’ campaign

Midfielder Sawyers – who played the full 90 minutes against City – rose through the ranks in the West Brom academy before rejoining the club from Brentford in summer 2019.

The 29-year-old helped Albion to promotion last season and has made 18 appearances in the Premier League this term.

Meanwhile, Manchester United duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial were also recently the target of vile online abuse following the shock defeat at home to Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

Tuanzebe, 23, was subjected to vile racist comments on his Instagram account, including one which read ‘DAMNNN N*****’ as well as several abhorrent monkey emojis on an old photo that he had posted a fortnight ago of his United shirt and number.

Martial was also subjected to abuse after playing the whole game, leading United to call for social media sites to eradicate abuse posted by ‘anonymous mindless idiots’.

Manchester United have condemned the disgusting racist abuse suffered by defender Axel Tuanzebe (left) and French striker Anthony Martial (right) on social media

Monkey emojis were posted on a picture the defender posted a couple of weeks ago

On Friday, the club’s chief Charlie Brooks urged social media platforms to create verifiable and identifiable accounts so the perpetrators can be caught.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Brooks said: ‘The players are sick of it, absolutely sick of it, we as a club are sick of it. We as a club have a long-standing commitment to combating racism through our own All Red All Equal initiative.

‘It’s something we’ve focused on both on a campaigning level and on a practical help level. We will of course help the players, all clubs do that, the Premier League do that, they have an online reporting system for players and their families but ultimately nobody should have to face this in their place of work and that’s what it is for the players.

‘The players are used to criticism in their roles, they’re used to being public figures but no one should have to put up with what they have to put with on social media. And we’ve had discussions with the social media platforms and they’re committed to helping.

‘They have better monitoring they will take down accounts when they see abuse but really the impetus has to be on them to create verifiable and identifiable accounts because while they are allowed to stay anonymous these people can continue to spout these vile views.’