Romaine Sawyers left 'numb' after 'stupid' West Brom fan comment

Walsall Magistrates' Court was told Simon Silwood posted the message on a 'sarcastic' fan zone Whatsapp group titled 'Romaine Sawyers - Ballon d'Or'

A West Bromwich Albion star was left "numb" by a "racist fan" who suggested he should win the "Baboon D'Or".

Walsall Magistrates' Court was told Simon Silwood posted the message on a "sarcastic" fan zone Whatsapp group titled "Romaine Sawyers - Ballon d'Or".

It came following his team's 5-0 defeat to Manchester City at West Brom's home ground the Hawthorns on January 26.

The 50-year-old told police his message on the group was "stupid not racial".

He also said his post had autocorrected the word "buffoon" to "baboon".

Sawyers was left feeling "harassed, alarmed and distressed" after being forwarded the message.

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Prosecutor Simon Brownsey said: "The prosecution case is that the message posted by Mr Silwood to the West Bromwich Albion Fan Zone Whatsapp group was intentionally posted and was blatant racism towards black professional footballer Mr Romaine Sawyers.

"On January 26 2021, a post was placed saying 'Romaine Sawyers - Ballon d'Or'.

"Three posts were placed on that thread. The first one said 'bellend'. The second was 'white lives matter when you try and watch'.

"The third post, from Mr Silwood, said 'Baboon dor'."

Mr Brownsey continued: "He confirmed that he sent the message on social media but said he did not intend the post to be racist.

"He was upset with how the game went.

"Having seen the message 'Romaine Sawyers - Ballon d'Or', he believed he had typed 'buffoon dor' not 'baboon dor'.

"Mr Silwood is aware that referring to Mr Sawyers as a baboon would be racist and deeply offensive."

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In a statement provided to the court, Sawyers said: "On Friday January 29, I attended the Hawthorns to provide a statement to the police regarding a separate incident where I was racially abused on Instagram.

"I was made aware of another incident regarding the colour of my skin.

"I knew what I was about to look at was going to be of an abusive nature.

"As I read it, I felt numb and did not know what to say. Having seen the word baboon I assumed it was referring to the colour of my skin.

"The word has left me feeling harassed, alarmed and distressed and I find the message to be racist based on the colour of my skin.

"The whole incident has left me extremely upset.

"I find it difficult to believe that in 2021 there are still people out in society who believe it is acceptable to behave like this.

"I find it even more disgusting that this comment was made on social media by someone sat behind a computer or a mobile phone."