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Romaine Sawyers: Police charge 49-year-old man over alleged racist abuse of West Brom player

West Brom's Romaine Sawyers received online abuse following the side's 5-0 defeat to Manchester City in January; Simon Silwood, 49, is accused of sending an offensive message to the footballer via social media

West Brom's Romaine Sawyers received online abuse following their 5-0 defeat to Manchester City in January
Image: West Brom's Romaine Sawyers received online abuse following their 5-0 defeat to Manchester City in January

Police have charged a 49-year-old man over alleged racist abuse of West Brom player Romaine Sawyers.

Simon Silwood, from Kingswinford, is accused of sending an offensive message to the footballer via social media in January this year following West Brom's 5-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Silwood has been charged by West Midlands Police under the Communications Act and will appear before Dudley Magistrates Court on April 29.

The investigation has been carried out by PC Stuart Ward, the UK's first dedicated hate crime officer within a football unit.

Speaking after the incident in January, West Brom boss Sam Allardyce offered his support to Sawyers and questioned what could be done to stop online abuse.

He said: "It leaves a big question about whether reporting it is enough. Romaine - or any Black person across the country - should not have to be open to any type of abuse on social media.

"He is extremely upset, as anybody would be. More than Romaine have suffered throughout football in the last few days.

"Social media sites need to act in a more responsible way. We have to do our best to cut this out."

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