Romaine Sawyers: Man charged with racially abusing West Brom midfielder

Baggies player was sent the abusive message during his side’s 5-0 defeat by Man City in January

West Brom midfielder Romaine Sawyers (Getty Images)

A man has been charged by West Midlands Police after West Brom midfielder Romaine Sawyers was racially abused on social media.

Simon Silwood, 49, is accused of sending the message to Sawyers online in January during West Brom’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City on 26 January.

A statement on Tuesday from West Midlands Police read: “We’ve charged a man after West Bromwich Albion player Romaine Sawyers was racially abused online. 

“Sawyers was subjected to the abuse during his side’s loss to Man City. The 49-year-old from Kingswinford has been charged under the Communications Act to appear before Dudley Magistrates Court on 29 April.”

The investigation has been carried out by PC Stuart Ward, who is the UK’s first officer dedicated to tackling hate crime within a police football unit.

Social media companies have repeatedly been urged to do more to combat online racial abuse on their platforms, with dozens of players targeted online this season.