An Arsenal supporter has been handed a three-year football banning order for racially abusing Thomas Partey, despite his claim that he was mimicking the language of a white racist as a form of satire. Charles Ogunmilade, 28, had previously admitted to posting a 'grossly offensive' message on X, targeting the midfielder after he missed a chance during the 3-3 draw with Southampton on 21 April last year. Partey's shot went over the crossbar, and the court heard that Ogunmilade posted: 'Nah, when Partey skied that shot I actually screamed you dirty black cunt.'

Suleman Hussain, prosecuting, stated that the post was reported to the police. He described the moment when officers visited Ogunmilade's address: 'The defendant appeared stunned and [the officers] could see he was afraid because his eyes had widened and his eyebrows became arched and became dumbfounded.' Ogunmilade told the police that the post was meant to be a sarcastic remark within a friendship group, where they would mimic what a white racist might say.

Ogunmilade, who is of Nigerian descent, represented himself in court. In his defense, he mentioned that he and his friends had been affected by the racism directed at black England players after the team's loss in the Euro 2020 final. 'Our coping mechanism was to make fun of it, to limit the power these people have over you,' he said. He also expressed concern about how a banning order, which would require him to surrender his passport to police every time England plays an away game, could impact his career, including travel to the US, and visits to his family in Nigeria. 'I am not a racist person,' he insisted.

Magistrate Shaoni Myer noted that the panel had considered Ogunmilade's early guilty plea, his previous good character, his personal circumstances, his experience of racism, and his intention for the post to be satire. Ogunmilade was ordered to pay a fine of £125, a surcharge of £50, and an £85 contribution to the prosecution's costs. 'We really have no choice,' she said. 'Giving you a conditional discharge would not be appropriate.'

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