A RACIST who said West Brom star Romaine Sawyers should win the "Baboon d'Or" tried blaming autocorrect for the sick remark.
Simon Silwood posted the offensive message in a "sarcastic" fan zone WhatsApp group titled "Romaine Sawyers - Ballon d'Or".
4
Simon Silwood racially abused Romaine Sawyers Credit: PA
The West Brom star was left 'distressed' by the post
The 50-year-old had targeted Sawyers, 29, after a 5-0 defeat to Manchester City in January.
But when he was arrested, Silwood tried worming his way out by claiming the vile post was "stupid not racial".
The troll also said autocorrect had changed the word "buffoon" to "baboon".
But JPs at Walsall Magistrates' Court saw through his lies and Silwood was today convicted of racially abusing Sawyers.
District Judge Bryony Clarke said Silwood was "not a credible witness" - and said he meant the post to be "grossly offensive".
The court was told Sawyers, who is currently on loan at Stoke City, was left feeling "harassed, alarmed and distressed" after reading it.
Most read in The Sun
Latest
RACe STORM Poland star accused of racially abusing Kyle Walker by FA after half-time brawl
'ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS' Moment autistic boy, 10, curls up in fear as 'bully' cop attacks him
'SHATTERED' Holly Willoughby bursts into tears as Kate Garraway describes Derek's struggles
VIRAL LOAD New Covid epicentre is sign regional ‘lockdowns’ might be needed, warns expert
TAKING ITS TROLL I'm a teen mum and pregnancy 'ruined' my body - trolls say I'm ugly
NEW LOOK Danniella Westbrook reveals her fresh-faced look after getting Botox & lip fillers
The midfielder had been reporting a separate alleged racist social media post to police when he was shown Silwood's message.
In a statement, he told the court: "As I read it, I felt numb and did not know what to say. Having seen the word baboon I assumed it was referring to the colour of my skin.
"The word has left me feeling harassed, alarmed and distressed and I find the message to be racist based on the colour of my skin.
"The whole incident has left me extremely upset.
"I find it difficult to believe that in 2021 there are still people out in society who believe it is acceptable to behave like this.
"I find it even more disgusting that this comment was made on social media by someone sat behind a computer or a mobile phone."
'BLATANT RACISM'
An investigation was carried out by PC Stuart Ward, who is the UK’s first dedicated hate crime officer within a football unit.
Prosecutor Simon Brownsey branded the post "blatant racism" and said Silwood was "upset" with how the game had gone.
Sawyers, from Birmingham, came through the Baggies academy before leaving in 2013 to join Walsall.
He spent three years with there and a further three with Brentford before returning to West Brom in 2019.
Sawyers has 26 caps for the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team.
'UNACCEPTABLE'
West Brom said after the verdict today: "The club welcomes the guilty verdict and has issued a lifetime ban to the person in question.
"West Bromwich Albion has a proud history of fighting all forms of discrimination and our message to supporters is clear; racism is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the club.
"We will continue to work with West Midlands Police to ensure all instances of racism, either at The Hawthorns or online, are reported. Anyone who is found guilty of such an offence will be banned from the club for life.
"Albion will continue to campaign for social media companies to take greater responsibility for the online hate published on their platforms."
Silwood will be sentenced at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on September 30.
4
Silwood was found guilty of abusing the star Credit: PA
Sawyers was targeted after the West Brom defeat to Manchester City
Romaine Sawyers turns the ball back to his goalkeeper - and it rolls into the net