Sheffield man downed six pints before racially abusing star striker, then fled stadium

A Sheffield man who racially abused a footballer has been banned from watching matches.

Edward Rabjohn, 21, made racist gestures towards Coventry star Kasey Palmer as he collected the ball for a throw-in during the second half against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. on January 20, 2024. Rabjohn, who downed about six pints before the game, was caught on camera making the obscene gesture.

In the interview with the police, he admitted that he made the gesture and then ran from the stadium. He also told his friends that he messed up. Mr Palmer informed match referee Anthony Blackhouse of the gesture, who reported it to Coventry manager Mark Robins.

Palmer told police he saw Rabjohn “extremely animated” and was looking directly at him as he waved at the footballer. Mr Palmer said he was “shocked, disgusted and sickened”.

Read more: The family pays tribute to “kind and caring” Tiffany Pearson, who did everything she could to help her

In his personal victim impact statement, he said: “I am absolutely disgusted by the racist gestures directed at me. The gesture shown was from a football supporter who paid money to attend a match but saw fit to hurl racist abuse at me. It’s something I can’t understand or wrap my head around.

“The abuse directed at me was completely unjustified, unprovoked and unacceptable. As a professional footballer, the fans pay good money and they have the right to have opinions about my performance on the pitch, whether it’s good or bad, it’s something most footballers accept.

“What I will never accept are racist gestures directed at me or anyone else. This is disgusting behavior and it is done for one purpose, which is to try to degrade me in front of the people on earth who are watching and also the people who are watching on TV all over the world.

“I have no doubt that if this person saw me or any other black person on the street, they would be like any other fan and want a picture or an autograph. Unfortunately, the man’s actions towards me showed a complete and utter lack of respect for me, Coventry City FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC and more importantly my family and friends who have had to endure this nightmare with me.

“This man needs to understand the consequences of his behavior, he needs to understand how he made me feel and how this has impacted my life, my family and my career. We are now in 2024 and incidents like this should not happen.”

At Sheffield Magistrates’ Court earlier this week, Rabjohn pleaded guilty to racially abusing Mr Palmer. He was made the subject of a two-year community order which included 200 hours of unpaid work.

He will not be able to enter within a mile of Hillsborough Stadium or Sheffield City Hall on match days or travel to away games four hours before and six hours after a match. He will also have to surrender his passport during international games – including tournaments such as Euro 2024.

Douglas Mackay, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor and CPS Senior Sports Prosecutor, said: “We want supporters to show their passion without crossing the line into criminality and we are working with football authorities, including the Premier League and the Football Association, as well as with clubs and the police, to stamp out this cruel behaviour.

“As a result of his actions, Rabjohn has not only been banned from watching football for five years, but will not be able to travel abroad during Euro 2024 this summer.”