A 49-year-old man has been charged by police for allegedly racially abusing West Brom star Romaine Swayers.
The suspect, Simon Silwood was arrested back in January by police after the 29-year-old midfielder received a racist message on social media during a 5-0 home defeat by Manchester City at the Hawthorns.
The West Midlands Police has confirmed the man from Kingswinford in the West Midlands has been charged and will appear at a magistrates court on 29 April.
A statement read: ‘We’ve charged a man after West Bromwich Albion player Romaine Sawyers was racially abused online.
‘Simon Silwood is accused of sending an offensive message to the footballer via social media in January of this year.
“The 49-year-old from Kingswinford has been charged under the Communications Act to appear before Dudley Magistrates Court on 29 April.
‘The investigation has been carried out by PC Stuart Ward who is the UK’s first dedicated hate crime officer within a football unit.
‘He is at the forefront of our unit’s ongoing work to stamp out any abuse against footballers and fans.’
