A 55-year-old Sheffield man, Richard Crisp, has been charged in connection with a hate-filled social media post made following the tragic death of West Brom fan Mark Townsend. Townsend died during a medical incident at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium on Saturday, September 28, during the match between Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion.
Following the incident, an offensive message was shared on X (formerly Twitter), making references to the tragedy and to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans. The post has been widely condemned as “abhorrent” by both fans and officials.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed in a statement issued on Monday, September 30, that Richard Crisp, of Hillsborough, Sheffield, has been charged with “sending communication/article of an indecent or offensive nature.” He has been released on police bail and is scheduled to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 14, 2024.
The statement read: “A Sheffield man has been charged following malicious communications shared on social media after a man sadly died during the Sheffield Wednesday V West Bromwich Albion fixture on Saturday 28 September.
In response to the offensive post, Sheffield Wednesday announced that a lifetime ban has been issued to the individual responsible. The club released a statement condemning the behaviour and reiterating their zero tolerance policy toward any unlawful activity on social media platforms.
We condemn absolutely this outrageous behaviour and underline our zero tolerance policy towards unlawful activity on all social media platforms,” the club stated. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Mr. Townsend and the wider West Bromwich Albion community at this incredibly difficult time.
The arrest and subsequent charges come as the football community calls for tougher measures against those who spread hate and misinformation online. The Hillsborough disaster remains a highly sensitive topic, and references to the tragedy in an offensive context have been met with widespread outrage.
Mark Townsend’s death has deeply affected both West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday supporters, with many paying their respects to his family. The clubs have urged their communities to come together in solidarity and show respect during this challenging time.
