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    Arsenal fan guilty of hurling vile racial abuse at OWN player Thomas Partey – but claimed he was just being ‘sarcastic’

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    AN ARSENAL fan has pleaded guilty to racially abusing star midfielder Thomas Partey – but claimed he was only being sarcastic.Charles Ogunmilade, 28, admitted racially attacking the Gunners’ Ghanaian midfielder with a “grossly offensive” message after Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton last year.The aspiring photographer called Partey a “dirty black c**t” in a shocking racist postCredit: GettyCharles Ogunmilade, above, sent the post after Partey hit a long-range strike over the bar.Credit: Chris EadesThe post, on Elon Musk’s X platform, were sent moments after £50m midfielder Partey, 31, spooned a 30-yard wonder-strike effort over the crossbar.His shot followed Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard scoring to rescue a critical point in the title race with two goals in the last two minutes of the match.Recruitment consultant Ogunmilade, of Romford, Essex, spoke only to confirm his name, age and plea.Prosecutor Rami Amin said: “During the evening of April 21, 2023 there was a Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton.Read more about Arsenal“This featured a player for Arsenal called Thomas Partey.“This defendant posted a comment on the Twitter platform.”The court heard the content of the post, which The Sun is not repeating, meant the offence was aggravated because of the racist language used.Padma Panigrahi, defending, insisted the vile remarks had been made in jest.Most read in FootballThe solicitor added: “My client has advised me that he and his friends communicate on Twitter.“He and his friendship group mimic what white, racist football hooligans say.“That’s why it was in inverted commas – they were basically being sarcastic.“That’s what a white football racist would say in that situation.“He’s very remorseful, that’s why he’s admitted it in an interview and co-operated with the police.“His family are in Nigeria.”The court heard Ogunmilade would contest a football banning order, which is typically applied to cases involving the sport.He is likely to be handed a community order.Head magistrate Margaret Orgill JP told the football fan: “As you know, we need a probation report.“If you commit any offence while on bail, you will get a more severe punishment.He was granted unconditional bail to appear for sentencing at City of London magistrates’ court on November 26.Ogunmilade made no comment when approached by The Sun outside court.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe club previously demanded an investigation into a vile troll who posted a racist image of England hero Bukayo Saka, 21.And last month law student Suhel Ali escaped jail after calling world-class winger Saka offensive terms in a voice note on X.Partey attempted to win the match for Arsenal but hit his shot over the bar, after Martin Odegaard had levelled the score at 3-3Credit: ReutersSuhel Ali, 20, escaped jail last month after racially abusing Bukayo SakaCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk More

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      Police probe into racist who abused Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is dropped after X refuses to reveal yob’s location

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      A POLICE investigation into a racist who abused Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has been dropped because X/Twitter refused to reveal the culprit’s location.Winger Saka, 22, was targeted with a manipulated image and slur by the yob who said he “needs to be humbled before he ruins this sport any further”.A police investigation into a racist who abused Bukayo Saka has been dropped because X/Twitter refused to reveal the culprit’s locationCredit: GettyIt came after Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich in April when the England star went down and appealed for a penalty.Some fans believed he tried to con the referee by throwing himself into the opposition’s goalie.Arsenal contacted X to get the post removed but it took four weeks for it to suspend the account.The Met brought in specialist UK Football Policing Unit detectives to trace the racist.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey found the account-holder was based overseas but X would not say which country so it could not be passed on to the relevant authorities.Labour MP Clive Betts, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Football, said: “Simply because they are overseas and X is not prepared to take action is not good enough. “If we cannot rely on them to self-moderate then further regulation is required.”Sunder Katwala, of equality think-tank British Future, said: “When the police want to act, it is enormously disappointing if X are refusing to facilitate the effort to prosecute and show that extreme racial hatred should carry consequences.”Most read in FootballArsenal said it was supporting Saka. X has been approached for comment.Bukayo Saka breaks silence on amazing reaction to Watkins’ Netherlands winning goal to fire England into Euro 2024 final More

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      Wesley Fofana says Enzo Fernandez is ‘not a racist’ as he reveals how Chelsea stars cleared the air in showdown talks

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      WESLEY FOFANA says Enzo Fernandez is “not a racist” and declared any issue between the Chelsea stars “finished”.Fernandez joined Chelsea’s pre-season tour on Monday, two weeks after streaming a video of himself and Argentina teammates singing a racist chant about France’s black players.Wesley Fofana revealed he has spoken to FernandezCredit: GettyHe says Fernandez has apologised to himCredit: GettyFernandez claimed to not know the meaning of the songCredit: GettyFofana hit out at the “uninhibited racism” in the video but has now deleted the post after holding face-to-face talks with the midfielder in Atlanta.He said: “It’s simple.”He arrived on Monday and we talked with the manager. We talked together.”I explained why I didn’t like the video. He explained, he said sorry because he did not want to hurt French fans or anyone.READ MORE ON CHELSEA”He did not understand when singing it. He did not understand. And I trust him.”Because I know him. I know he is not racist. The act, I felt a little bit upset. But now, it is done. It is finished.”We play for the same club and badge and train together. Now I understand him. He understands me. Everybody is happy.”Fernandez spoke to a small group of players, including Fofana, Reece James and Axel Disasi, before addressing the group and apologising once more.Most read in FootballFernandez sung a racist chant aimed at the French national teamCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was the first time the Argentina international had spoken to the French defender directly since posting the video.The club record signing has also made a donation to a anti-discrimination charity – though Fofana says he does not care about the money and wants his teammate to be further educated.Enzo Maresca’s tactical overhaul at ChelseaSpeaking after training alongside Fernandez in Georgia, added: “I hope this has educated him a bit, because for sure, it is a different culture.”I don’t care about the money. He loses money. I don’t want Enzo to lose money.”The donation is good but the most important thing is not to repeat the act and that we educate everybody.”He is an example because Enzo is a big player, a big star. He understands that and I’m happy like this.”I don’t think a big sanction for Enzo is a good process.”We need to educate about this because cultures are different, a lot of countries.”We don’t have the same education, for good or bad. But we need to educate everybody if we don’t want a repeat.”Fofana also revealed that he was keen to clear the air in order to benefit the whole team and avoid a situation where two key players are not talking.The ex-Leicester defender said: “We need to stay together. We’re strong together.”If I’m on one side and Enzo is on the other side and we fight every day or we don’t talk or we’re not happy, on the pitch then we don’t play well.”That’s not only me and Enzo. It’s all the team. It is for that, that we talked.”I know Enzo. He is not racist. It is just the video is bad. It’s not only Enzo.”It’s the Argentinian team. I posted this because I felt upset about the video.”Enzo is in the video but if he was from another country, I would have posted the same thing. For sure, it was a big story because we play in the same team.”After two years of injury problems Fofana is now hoping a full pre-season can kick start his Chelsea career.It is just over a year since the £70million signing had to undergo knee surgery which ruled him out for most of last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I feel good, confident. I know I am strong but for sure the fitness and routine is hard because training every day and having games is hard but day by day I feel better, every game and every session.”When I signed for Chelsea I realised my dream and I want to perform. I want to win titles, I am hungry and I want to win titles for sure. I am ready to work hard for that.”Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. 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      Enzo Fernandez racism row taken to highest level as Argentina and France’s PRESIDENTS hold emergency summit

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      THE Enzo Fernandez racism row has gone to the very top ­— with an emergency summit between the French and Argentine presidents.Tensions between the two nations are at breaking point over the racist chant aimed at French football stars.Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez is at the centre of a row following Argentina’s Copa America winners belting out a racist chantCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezFrench President Emmanuel Macron will meet his Argentine counterpartCredit: RexArgentina’s rugby sevens team had every try they scored booed by the French crowdCredit: GettyThe football team, meanwhile saw their national anthem booed and were later chased down the tunnel by pitch invaders during their match with Morocco. It is not known whether any of the scenes were related to the racist chant.Credit: ReutersArgentine president Javier Milei jetted in on Thursday for talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to try to defuse the situation ahead of Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremony.Argentina’s Olympic footballers were targeted with bottles and firecrackers during a defeat to Morocco in Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.And last night their country’s rugby sevens side walked into a “toxic” bear-pit of hate as they were edged out by Antoine Dupont and the hosts 26-14 in a quarter-final at Stade de France in Paris.The French football federation filed a legal complaint over the “unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks” in a video filmed by Fernandez.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe chant, sung by Argentina’s Copa America winners, was originally belted out by their fans ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final.Defending her country’s footballers, Milei’s deputy Victoria Villarruel has insisted Argentina would not tolerate criticism from a “colonialist” country.Those comments further outraged the French while sports minister Julio Garro was sacked by Milei after asking for skipper Lionel Messi to apologise on behalf of the team.Argentina backtracked, with a Government spokesman disowning Villarruel’s comments. Most read in FootballArgentinian president Javier Milei has flown into ParisCredit: GettyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut the incidents in Saint-Etienne and Paris underlined the tensions.The spokesman announced Milei would be meeting Macron and other French officials at the Elysee Palace, with the issues between the countries understood to be a significant part of the agenda.Paris Olympics kicks off with fans BOOING Argentina during national anthem after Fernandez’s racist video about FranceArgentina’s sevens side came under deafening verbal assault. Ex-England winger Ugo Monye described it as “toxic”.What’s happening today at The Games?WHAT TO WATCH TODAY…Paris 2024 Olympics – Opening Ceremony Only one show in town today.. just about!The historic Opening Ceremony which is taking place on the River Seine rather than a stadium ends proceedings on Friday evening.While there has been football and rugby sevens among events which started before the ceremony this week, they will not be taking place on the day of the big bash.Only shooting pre-event training will take place on the day of the Opening Ceremony.Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog. More

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      Enzo Fernandez seen for first time since racism storm as he watches old club after being called out by Chelsea team-mate

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ has been seen for the first time since his racism storm.The Chelsea star is in hot water after filming himself and his Argentine team-mates singing a vile racist song about the French national team.Enzo Fernandez has been seen for the first time since his racism stormCredit: X/ TNTSportsARHe made an appearance at the River Plate stadiumCredit: X/ TNTSportsARFernandez, 23, has faced a huge backlash to the video, with multiple Chelsea stars unfollowing him on social media.The midfielder was publicly shamed by Wesley Fofana, who labelled the video as “uninhibited racism”.SunSport understands that Chelsea are now facing a major divide in the dressing room ahead of the Premier League season.Fernandez has since apologised for his part in the chants that caused massive offence.READ MORE ON ENZO FERNANDEZHowever, former Blues star Tony Cascarino believes Fernandez will never be forgiven. He has now been seen for the first time after appearing at River Plate’s Estadio Monumental.He was given a standing ovation by the fans in the ground as he wore the club’s shirt and entered the pitch.Fernandez played for the Argentine side before his move to Europe in 2022.Most read in FootballHe was a part of River’s youth academy from 2007 until he graduated to the first team in 2019.Benfica then signed the midfielder 2022 for just £8million before selling him to Chelsea six months later to Chelsea.Watch Argentina World Cup winner and £107m Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez play hurling on holiday in Ireland The Blues forked out £106.8m for Fernandez in January 2023, but he has struggled to find his best form in England.He could now face a huge punishment for the racist singing, with a 12-game ban a possibility, according to sports lawyer Udo Onwere.Onwere believes Fifa will delegate responsibility for sanctioning Fernandez to the FA, who have strict guidelines regarding punishing discriminatory behaviour.They read: “Match-based sanctions of six to twelve games will be recommended to Regulatory Commissions for almost all acts of discrimination by individual participants.”It comes just days after a video he shared sparked a racism stormCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezMeet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. More

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      Enzo Fernandez breaks silence after being slammed by Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana for ‘uninhibited racism’

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      ENZO Fernandez has broken his silence after being slammed by team-mate Wesley Fofana for “uninhibited racism”.Chelsea launched a probe after Fernandez posted a video on Instagram of himself and his Argentina team-mates chanting a sick discriminatory song.Enzo Fernandez has taken to Instagram to issue an apologyCredit: InstagramFrenchman Wesley Fofana called out his Chelsea team-mate after a clip circulated on XCredit: GettyBut the Argentina midfielder has now taken to the same social media platform to issue an apology.He wrote: “I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.”The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.”I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.Read more Sports News”That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”The World Cup winners beat Colombia 1-0 in Miami on Sunday to lift their second successive Copa America trophy.And footage emerged showing celebrating Argentina players singing a racist song on their team bus about the France team following their victory at the Hard Rock Stadium.The vile chant dates back to the 2022 World Cup when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties.Most read in FootballAppearing on live TV some fans from the South American country sang that France’s players were “all from Angola”.And they also targeted Kylian Mbappe with a transphobic chant amid reports surrounding his dating life.Fans sneak into Copa America final through air vents as Argentina stars forced to leave dressing room to help families In the latest video, Chelsea star Fernandez and team-mates could clearly be heard singing the part about Angola.Fofana, 23, who is French and the son of an Ivorian father, took to X to express his frustration with the viral clip as he wrote: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism”.French FA chiefs are threatening legal action against Argentina over the incident.The FFF condemned the chant and added: “Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks.Argentina have been hit by a racism storm after singing a vile chantChelsea star Enzo recorded team-mates singing the sick song on Instagram Live”Contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart.”And Fifa to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”Chelsea themselves are yet to release a statement.Fernandez filmed the footage on his phone via Instagram live with the midfielder showing celebrations on the team bus.But seconds after the vile chant began he switched the recording off.Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.Wesley FofanaChelsea have a number of French players, such as Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Lesley Ugochukwu.Several have reportedly unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Argentina squad contains multiple players from the Premier League, including Lisandro Martinez and Alejando Garnacho of Manchester United, Man City’s Julian Alvarez, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso and Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez.It’s unclear if any of them were involved in the chanting. More

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      Chelsea launch probe into Enzo Fernandez video as team-mate Wesley Fofana slams Argentina stars’ ‘uninhibited racism’

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      WESLEY FOFANA has called out his Chelsea team-mate Enzo Fernandez for “uninhibited racism”.The Blues have launched a probe after Fernandez posted a video on Instagram of himself and his Argentina team-mates chanting a sick discriminatory song.Frenchman Wesley Fofana has called out his Chelsea team-mate after a clip circulated on XCredit: GettyThe World Cup winners beat Colombia 1-0 in Miami on Sunday to lift their second successive Copa America trophy.And footage emerged showing celebrating Argentina players singing a racist song on their team bus about the France team following their victory at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.The vile chant dates back to the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties.Appearing on live TV, some fans from the South American country sang that France’s players were “all from Angola.”read more football newsAnd they also targeted Kylian Mbappe with a transphobic chant amid reports surrounding his dating life.In the latest video, Chelsea star Fernandez and team-mates could clearly be heard singing the part about Angola.Fofana, 23, who is French and the son of an Ivorian father, took to X to express his frustration with the viral clip as he wrote: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism”.French FA chiefs are threatening legal action against Argentina over the incident.Most read in FootballThe FFF condemned the chant and added: “Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks.”Contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart.Argentina have been hit by a racism storm after singing a vile chantChelsea star Enzo Fernandez recorded team-mates singing the sick song on Instagram LiveFans sneak into Copa America final through air vents as Argentina stars forced to leave dressing room to help families “And Fifa to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature.”Chelsea themselves are yet to release a statement.Fernandez filmed the footage on his phone via Instagram live, with the midfielder showing celebrations on the team bus.Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.Wesley FofanaBut seconds after the vile chant began, he switched the recording off.Chelsea have a number of French players, such as Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Lesley Ugochukwu.Several have reportedly unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Argentina squad contains multiple players from the Premier League, including Lisandro Martinez and Alejando Garnacho of Manchester United, Man City’s Julian Alvarez, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso and Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez.It’s unclear if any of them were involved in the chanting. More

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      Cops closing in on racist online troll who targeted Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka

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      COPS are close to catching an online troll who racially abused footie ace Bukayo Saka, sources say.X/Twitter took four weeks to finally suspend the culprit’s account on Friday.The net is closing in on an online troll who racially abused Bukayo SakaCredit: GettyCops are investigating a photoshopped image and comment about the Arsenal and England winger.The Met has brought in specialist UK Football Policing Unit detectives to trace the racist and sources revealed they are “closing in”. Anti-racism campaigners had blasted the social media giant for still allowing the message to be displayed after we first reported it last month.Sunder Katwala, director of equality think tank British Future, said: “That it took a month to remove such blatant racism — even when reported in The Sun on Sunday — shows just how hit and miss the current systems are.”READ MORE BUKAYO SAKAThe vile taunt came after Saka, 22, had appealed for a late penalty in Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich — with some accusing him of trying to con the ref.The troll continued to spew race hate towards Saka and other black players for more than a month.X/Twitter was approached for comment.Raging Bukayo Saka pushed away from referee after Arsenal are denied last-minute penalty against Bayern Munich More

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      Former Chelsea coach slapped with secret lifetime football ban by FA following racism and bullying scandal

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      FORMER Chelsea coach Gwyn Williams was reportedly secretly handed a lifetime ban by the FA.Williams was involved in a bullying and racism scandal that led to the Blues paying out-of-court settlements to a number of youth players.Graham Rix, left, and Gywn Williams both used to work at ChelseaCredit: Getty – ContributorFour ex-youth-team players received six-figure sums after alleged historical racial abuse from Williams and another coach, Graham Rix, in the 1990s.Williams, 76, spent 27 years working at Chelsea and held several prominent roles.He was handed the biggest punishment possible to the English football’s governing body.This came after an investigation found him to be “a risk of harm to children within affiliated football”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe ban had never been announced despite being issued in 2019 due to the FA stance.It had been thought that he had retired from the sport having worked with legends such as Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri.But The Athletic have claimed that he was in fact banned from having any involvement in the sport.Rix, 66, was judged that he “may pose a risk of harm” to children by a safeguarding panel decision in 2019.Most read in FootballHowever, the FA ruled that it did not have enough evidence to substantiate the allegations of racism against him.The FA’s safeguarding team spoke to 15 witnesses as part of its investigation of Williams.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsThis included his former colleagues and a number of players who suffered abuse.Most of them claimed that Williams was a racist and was aggressive and a bully on more than one occasion.It is also claimed that he used language such as the N-word and “black b******”.The FA’s policy of reporting on safeguarding suspensions states: “Publication of details can have serious consequences.”This includes re-traumatising victims and/or causing them to re-live harmful abusive experiences.”In addition, vigilantism can have harmful effects on innocent people connected to those involved in safeguarding cases.”The FA declined to comment when approached by SunSport More