Fan who sent ‘vile’ racist tweet about Ireland striker Michael Obafemi is spared jail but receives football banning order

Swansea City supporter Josh Phillips posted the abusive message on January 28 in response to a tweet from the club announcing the then 22-year-old player was being transferred on loan to Burnley Football Club.

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court, Judge Christopher James sentenced Phillips to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months.

He was also made the subject of an electronic tag requiring him to be at home from 5pm until midnight every night for the duration of his sentence.

A football banning order was placed, preventing him from attending the Swansea Stadium or entering licensed premises within 2,500 metres of a Swansea City home match at the Liberty Stadium.

In addition he must not visit any town or city where Swansea is playing away or any area where Wales are playing.

Phillips (26) said he was a supporter of Mr Obafemi and had become “upset” at the news while speaking to friends in a pub where he had been drinking for several hours.

He published the tweet on the evening of January 28 including a reference to Mr Obafemi’s name and an offensive racial slur. Phillips deleted the tweet within around 20 minutes but in that time it was seen around 52 times and shared by other users.

Most fans reacted negatively, calling out the tweet as “unacceptable”, but some were supportive with one person replying: “Nice one JP.”

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Lisa Jones, prosecuting, said police traced the account and Phillips was arrested on February 1 at his home in Swansea.

While being interviewed he admitted sending the tweet and said he was “disgusted” and “ashamed” by his actions, describing them as “out of character”.

He later pleaded guilty to sending a message on a public communications network that was grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing, contrary to the Communications Act 2003.

A club season ticket holder from the age of four, Phillips said he had attended every home match since then as well as around 15 away games a season.

He was also a holder of a priority group one season ticket for Wales games.

Mark Davies, defending, formally apologised on behalf of Phillips to Mr Obafemi during the hearing and told the court the defendant had since been sacked from his IT job, lost friends and no longer went out.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Ms Jones, Mr Obafemi said: “This is something that has shocked me and made me feel sick.

“I would describe myself as a black male and this comment is clearly meant to insult me and abuse the colour of my skin and insult my race.”

“Racial abuse towards me is totally unacceptable,” he added.

“It is extremely offensive and distressing for me, my family and friends who will read it.

“I would like the person that has done this to me to be made an example of so it doesn’t happen again and shows people that people in my profession are not scared to act.”

Judge James said the post was racially aggravated and “posted on a social media platform with no boundaries.”

He added: “It therefore can be viewed nationally, internationally and the potential audience is therefore global.”