Fan sentenced over ‘vile’ tweet about Ireland striker Michael Obafemi

A football fan who sent a “vile” racist tweet about Republic of Ireland international striker Michael Obafemi has been sentenced.

Swansea City supporter Josh Phillips posted the abusive message in response to a tweet from the club announcing the then 22-year-old player was being transferred on loan to Burnley Football Club.

Phillips (26) said he was a supporter of Mr Obafemi and had become “upset” at the news while speaking to friends in a pub where he had been binge-drinking for several hours.

He published the tweet on the evening of January 28th, including a reference to Mr Obafemi’s name and an offensive racial slur.

Phillips deleted the tweet within around 20 minutes but in that time it was seen around 52 times and shared by other users.

Most fans reacted negatively, calling out the tweet as “unacceptable”, but some were supportive with one person replying: “Nice one JP.”

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Lisa Jones, prosecuting, said police traced the account and Phillips was arrested on February 1st at his home in Swansea.

While being interviewed he admitted sending the tweet and said he was “disgusted” and “ashamed” by his actions, describing them as “out of character”.

He later pleaded guilty to sending a message on a public communications network that was grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing, contrary to the Communications Act 2003.

A club season ticket holder from the age of four, Phillips said he had attended every home match since then as well as around 15 away games a season. He was also a holder of a priority group one season ticket for Wales games.

Mark Davies, defending, said his client was a “hardworking” and “honest” man with no previous convictions or history of hostility towards