Ipswich fan fined over Derby Day racist comment about Norwich City’s Cameron Jerome on Canaries’ Facebook page
Cameron Jerome of Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd +44 7904 640267 06/04/2015 - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
A Ipswich Town fan who posted a racist comment about a Norwich city footballer on the Canaries’ Facebook page has been fined by magistrates.
Father-of-two Adam Clements, 30, had been watching the Norwich City versus Ipswich Town derby match on TV at his home on March 1.
The game finished in a 2-0 win for Norwich, and the Ipswich Town fan posted a comment about City striker Cameron Jerome, who was being praised online by Canaries’ fans.
Two minutes later he deleted it, but it was too late as it had been seen and the police were investigating.
King’s Lynn magistrates heard today that the footballer had been made aware of the post.
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Prosecutor, Susanna Chowdhury read out a comment from the club’s head of communications, Joe Ferrari, who described the remark as “grossly offensive and totally unacceptable”.
Mr Ferrari added it was definitely directed at the player because he was black.
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Clements, from Brady Gardens, Denver, Downham Market, admitted sending a communication/article of an offensive nature, was fined £350 plus a £35 victim surcharge and must pay £85 costs.
Ruth Johnson, for Clements, said the self-employed painter/decorator posted the comment “without engaging his brain”.
She said his family - his father was in court supporting him - had been in touch with NCFC about making amends.
After the case, Clements said he would gladly apologise to the footballer in person. ”I’m not racist,” he added.
“If he had been playing for Ipswich I would have supported him.”
