In a case that underscores the ongoing issue of racial abuse in sports, a law student has been convicted of using racial slurs aimed at English footballer Bukayo Saka.
Suhel Ali, a law student at City University, came under legal scrutiny after he posted a racially charged audio message on social media platform X. The message referred to the England winger, Bukayo Saka, as a ‘fucking black piece of shit’ following Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest in May 2023.
Suhel Ali admitted to the charges in Westminster Magistrates’ Court, acknowledging that the offensive message was sent via a public communication network. His legal counsel argued that this conviction could severely impact his future aspirations of becoming a lawyer.
The court reviewed the voice note, in which Ali, an Arsenal supporter, disparaged Saka’s abilities, calling him ‘the shittest winger I’ve ever seen at my club’. Ali also used derogatory terms, including ‘n–ger’ and ‘monkey’, towards the footballer. Prosecutor Suleman Hussain detailed that Ali’s IP address was traced by authorities who subsequently conducted an interview where Ali offered a full and frank admission of his actions.
During the interview, Ali expressed that his comments were made in a moment of frustration during the match and were not intended to be racist. Despite being of the same ethnic background as Saka, Ali conceded that the remarks could be perceived as racially charged, a perception he did not intend to convey. He admitted that the offensive comments were unacceptable and recognised he would not favour receiving such abuse.
The prosecution classified Ali’s offence as category A, due to the racial hostility evident in his comments. In defence, Robert Moxon, representing Ali, suggested that while the remarks were offensive, they did not constitute an expression of racial hostility. Moxon further described Ali as an ‘intelligent, eloquent, pleasant young man of good character’ whose impulsive actions were a regrettable mistake rather than a reflection of his true character.
District Judge Briony Clarke, presiding over the case, remarked on the gravity of the situation, highlighting the continued online vitriol faced by Saka and other players. Judge Clarke ordered pre-sentence reports, emphasising the serious nature of this incident and its potential long-term consequences for Ali, including the possibility of imprisonment. Ali, who was granted bail, awaits sentencing on 8 October.
This conviction serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of racial abuse in sports, particularly in the digital age where such behaviour can have far-reaching consequences.
