Ian: Time to stop racists
FOOTBALL pundit Ian Wright says he has given up reporting online trolls after a court “let off” a teenager who admitted racially abusing him.
As part of their No Room For Racism campaign, the Premier League published videos on its Twitter account featuring the former England and Arsenal player discussing his experience with Alan Shearer.
Wright spokes of his frustration that the “horrific” abuse he received on social media from a teenager in Ireland went unpunished.
He said: “This guy in Ireland, this judge let him off because it was a first offence, he comes from a decent family.”
In the video,Wright shows his fellow Match Of The Day pundit Alan Shearer racial abuse he has received that day on social media. Much of what is said is censored.
Disgusting
One message stated “BLDM: Black Lives Don’t Matter.”
He says: “It’s a daily thing.This is today, that came today.”
Asked by Shearer if he had reported this instance of the abuse,Wright replies: “No. What’s the point?” He added: “We’re gonna try and chase this guy down, then what?”
Shearer comments that the language directed atWright is “disgusting”.
Wright replies: “The thing about it is,Al, it makes you feel very dehumanised.You feel like nothing.”
Patrick O’Brien, 18, of Tralee, pleaded guilty to sending a message by phone that was grossly offensive, obscene and menacing on May 11, 2020.
At Tralee District Court in February, Judge David Waters said he “didn’t see anything to be gained” by imposing a criminal conviction, and handed O’Brien a period of probation.
Wright said: “I’m not saying I want him to go to prison.
“Some community service, some education on racism… That’s what you want.”