Southend issue a statement condemning the racial abuse sent to Oldham’s Shaun Hobson after the National League playoff final.
The club said that they are working to identify the perpetrator, believed to be a Southend fan, who will face a ban.
After the game, Shaun Hobson uploaded a screenshot of a private message sent to him by logancaswell06 and wrote “I’m not angry just disappointed. @sufcrootshall ban this pleb.”
Southend apologised to Hobson, a former Shrimpers player, and Oldham, making clear their zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, with the matter reported to authorities, and the club is cooperating fully.
The club said in a statement: “Southend United Football Club strongly condemns the racial abuse sent to Oldham Athletic defender Shaun Hobson after Sunday’s Vanarama National League Promotion Final.
“The incident has been reported to the relevant authorities and we are working closely with them to identify the perpetrator, who will be subject to a club ban. Such abuse is vile and will not be tolerated.
“The club has reached out to both Oldham and Shaun to apologise and offer its full support while our investigation continues.
“Racism has no place in football or society and the club would like to reaffirm its zero-tolerance stance against any form of discrimination.”
Twitter users gave their reaction as Southend issue a statement condemning the racial abuse sent to Oldham’s Shaun Hobson…
@SenseiPhil2: Absolutely disgusting. Life ban at all grounds.
@ForeverSouthend: Constructive approach might be to send him abroad, giving him the opportunity to experience different cultures and ethnicities firsthand. Immersing himself in diverse environments could help him gain a deeper understanding of the fact that, at our core we are all the same. Football, and society as a whole, should be a place of unity, not division. It’s through education, empathy, and shared experience that real change begins. We’re not divided by football and we are not divided in society. The mentality of anyone who engages in this kind of behavior is absolutely disgraceful. It brings shame not only to the club but also deeply affects the player who has been subjected to such abuse. There is no place for it in football, or anywhere else. 99.9% of people would never behave in such a way, and that’s clearly reflected in the comments and the overwhelming engagement on this post. The support, unity, and shared values shown by the majority remind us that this kind of behavior is not representative of our community.
@PaulHeaton33: Well done Southend for taking action. I bumped into quite a few of you yesterday and there was nothing but respect for both clubs having gone through similar journeys. Yesterday was our day , hopefully your day will come soon KTF
@djm_eightyone: There’s a name on the post. A quick social media search should make it fairly easy. Make an example of them. Disgusting and not what I’d expect from a fan of this club. After such a great occasion yesterday, where fans from both clubs mixed well and shared banter etc.
@HarryConstabl13: Disgusting behavior. Well done to the club for acknowledging. Shaun is always welcome back at RH
@sgarbett9: Shame someone has to do that. It was a great atmosphere yesterday. Even had Southend fans congratulating us after.
@callum_southend: so disappointing for someone to ruin a great day for Shaun and the fans.
@clevington94: Don’t understand why people have to bring race into it. The team bottled it, slag the team as a collective off, but at the end of the day it’s only a game of football.
@Jasonsnell17: Shaun was there during the clubs darkest days maybe a little bit of respect was needed. Once a Shrimper always a Shrimper 🦐
@bmwsmiler1: Disgusting from whoever it was. Not a Southend fan in my eyes and hopefully won’t be allowed to come to any games in the future.
@Some_RG: Sad to hear 😞 Shaun was a favourite of mine during his time here, was sad to see him leave when he did but understood family was the incentive to move on. He’s one of us at heart. This “fan” isn’t one of us, in my opinion. Congratulations to Shaun and Oldham. See you next year.
@TheSkyBlueLine: Can’t believe incidents like this happen. Hope Shaun is ok. 🙏
@robertaskew7: Not acceptable behaviour full stop, not just in football but in society as a whole. Hope Shaun is OK.
@SteveJo72166279: No reason for abuse and not wanted at our club. This person cannot be a true Southend supporter.
@AdolphusSpriggs: Thank you for this, Southend. Just to say when I was leaving the ground on Sunday I was walking back to Wembley Central Station with hundreds of your fans and they were an absolute credit. Good luck for next season.
@JaySouthend: I understand he wasn’t great for us, but I’m grateful a statements been made. Put the racist cunt to shame.
@samtheshrimp18: There’s no way it was a real fan. Has to be a day tripper as real fans know Hobson was good for us and one of the players who stuck with it through RMs shit. Moved to Oldham to be back up north nearer family otherwise likely wouldn’t have left. Get a football banning order on him
@AlecHitchSUFC: Disgusting. Name, shame & ban them for life. Completely unacceptable – that goes without saying. Hope Shaun is okay – once a Shrimper, always a Shrimper
@Brad69255427: Your fans were brilliant in and around the ground yesterday, one waste of skin won’t spoil that. Get him found, banned and get yourselves promoted next season.
@WesEasty: Absolutely disgusting behaviour. He was a good servant for you guys. I’ll add that as an Oldham fan, every Southend fan I met on Sunday was a credit to the club. Best of luck for next season
@ShaunMalone1997: That’s absolutely fucking embarrassing that is. Name them, shame them and root them out. Absolute fucking clowns.
@DShamen: A scumbag is a scumbag, regardless of colours. He doesn’t speak for the rest of you. Good luck next season. 👍
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