A Cardiff City fan racially abused a Swansea City footballer in a social media video. Peter Clive Tucker shared a racist comment about Michael Obafemi on April 2 during a south Wales derby. The then-Swansea forward scored two goals in the match at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Tucker, a 57-year-old from Aberdare, posted the abuse under the alias Luigi Sanchez. In April the then-Swansea defender Joel Latibeaudiere called for Cardiff City to ban the supporter. Cardiff said they were "disgusted" by the racism and passed evidence to police.
Tucker appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to racially aggravated malicious communications towards Obafemi, 23, who now plays for Premier League side Burnley. The defendant received a 10-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from attending football matches for five years. Tucker must complete 25 rehabilitation activity days and pay fines and costs totalling £359.
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South Wales Police's Cardiff City dedicated football officer PC Simon Chivers said: “This case demonstrates there is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in society or in football. South Wales Police has designated football liaison officers who continue to work with clubs throughout the force area, including Cardiff City, to raise awareness of hate crime.”
A spokesman for the Professional Footballers' Association added: “Outcomes like this are vital in sending a clear message to those who may now think twice about using discriminatory language – it won’t be tolerated. It’s also important for us, as the players’ union, to be able to point our members towards examples like this when we are encouraging them to report instances of abuse and to pursue these cases through legal channels. That isn’t always an easy decision for an individual to make and they need to know they will be supported in seeking this kind of outcome.”
If you witness a hate crime or are a victim you can contact South Wales Police by visiting the website or calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.
