Metropolitan Police accuses a black woman of hurling racist insults at a footballer, resulting in her criminal charges.
In the wake of England's UEFA Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) received over 600 reports of online racist comments directed at England's Black players. Among these reports, 207 were deemed criminal, with at least 123 of the incidents having originated from overseas.
Recent enforcement has increasingly treated online speech with the same seriousness as in-person speech, and courts have imposed custodial sentences in severe cases related to hate speech. This is evident in a case involving a 21-year-old Black woman from London, Jamila Abdi, who was charged under the Communications Act 2003 by the Metropolitan Police.
The incident occurred during a heated debate regarding a football match on social media on 27 August 2023. Abdi used the n-word in a post that was deemed indecent or grossly offensive, causing distress or anxiety. As a result, she faces a court appearance on 8 August 2024.
Under the UK Communications Act 2003, Section 127, it is a criminal offence to send by means of a public electronic communications network any message that is "grossly offensive", "indecent", "obscene", or of a menacing character." This includes racist language such as the use of the n-word in a racist context, if it is deemed grossly offensive and likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
The legal consequence for such an offence may include arrest, prosecution, and conviction, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. The maximum sentence under this section can vary and has been subject to review, especially for cases involving offenders with significant social media influence.
The case of Jamila Abdi has sparked discussions online, with some netizens expressing concern about the inconsistency in charges for racially abusive tweets. Some have questioned why not many white people have been charged for similar offenses against Black England footballers in recent years. Meanwhile, others have shared their opinions, with one user stating that the CPSUK considers one Black person using the N-word with another Black person to be a form of criminal racial abuse.
Racist abuse remains a significant problem in English football, and this case serves as a reminder that such behaviour will not be tolerated under UK law. The UKFPU continues to encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences racist abuse online to report it to the police.
[1] Communications Act 2003, Section 127: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/127 [2] UK Government: Hate crime and cybercrime: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-and-cybercrime--2 [3] Independent: Woman charged over racist tweet about England footballer: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/england-news/woman-charged-over-racist-tweet-about-england-footballer-b1928688.html [4] The Mirror: Woman charged with racist social media post after England's Euro 2020 final defeat: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/woman-charged-racist-social-media-25094903 [5] BBC: Woman charged with racially aggravated harassment after England Euro 2020 final: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58689162
- A recent case involving a woman, Jamila Abdi, using racist language on social media during a football debate has sparked discussions online, highlighting the seriousness with which the UK treats online hate speech.
- Under UK law, it is a criminal offence to use racist language such as the n-word in a grossly offensive or indecent manner, which can lead to arrest, prosecution, and conviction, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
- The UK Football Policing Unit continues to encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences racist abuse online, like the abuse England's Black players faced after UEFA Euro 2020, to report it to the police.
