In a legal decision that highlights the complexities of online conduct, a second-year law student has been handed a conditional discharge for racially abusing England footballer Bukayo Saka in an online rant.
Suhel Ali, a 20-year-old student at City University, was convicted of sending an offensive message by a public communication network. His audio post on the social media platform X targeted Bukayo Saka, calling him racially derogatory names following Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest in May 2023.
The court hearing revealed that Mr Ali used racially offensive language, including the N-word and comparing Saka to a ‘monkey’, sentiments he acknowledged could be perceived as racially charged. Despite this, Ali contended that his intention was not to be racist, but rather expressed frustration at the match’s outcome.
Legal representation for Mr Ali, Mr Andrew Moxon, argued that the use of such language was common among individuals of the same ethnic background as Mr Ali and Saka. Mr Moxon emphasized the impact this conviction could have on Ali’s future in law, considering his previous good character and remorse.
The court, presided over by bench chair Kieran O’Donnell, acknowledged the offensive nature of the remarks and highlighted their potential to cause harm to anyone who heard them. While noting Ali’s lack of prior convictions and his expressed remorse, the court viewed the incident as indicative of immaturity at the time, given Ali was 18 years old when the offence occurred.
Ultimately, Mr Ali was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge, which will allow him to avoid imprisonment provided he does not reoffend during this period. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £111 in court costs.
This case serves as a significant reminder of the responsibility individuals have when expressing themselves on public platforms, especially in contexts where words can perpetuate racial stereotypes. The sentence reflects a balance between recognising the immaturity of the offender and the serious nature of the offence.
