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West Ham fan banned from football after racial abuse during Premier League game against Liverpool at London Stadium
11:23, 14 October 2020
updated: 13:30, 14 October 2020
A football fan has been banned after hurling racial abuse towards a playing during a Premier League game.
Bradley Thumwood, from Bexleyheath , shouted at a player during the West Ham v Liverpool fixture at the London Stadium.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates Court this week to a racially aggravated public order offence during the match on January 29.
Thumwood, of Pickford Road, Bexleyheath, has now been banned from attending matches for three years and fined £400.
He must also pay a victim surcharge and costs of £125.
The Met Police has not revealed which player was abused or what was said.
Officers identified the West Ham fan directing insults during the game and was summonsed on July 27.
Met 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.”
A statement from West Ham United FC said the club was "unequivocal in its stance" towards racism.
"We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination," a spokesman said.
"We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination"
"Equality and diversity are at the heart of the Football Club and we are committed to continue ensuring that everyone who enters London Stadium is free to enjoy watching their team play football in an inclusive environment.
“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.”
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