Three-Year Ban for Football Fan Over Racial Abuse of Player

A football fan has been banned for three years after racially abusing non-league striker Chris Wreh following an FA Cup match.

A football fan who racially abused non-league striker Chris Wreh has been banned from attending matches for three years. Harry Dunbar, from Fareham, Hampshire, admitted to sending Wreh a racist direct message from an anonymous Instagram account following Tamworth's FA Cup third-round defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on 12 January.

The 20-year-old supporter was later found to be behind the social media account by digital investigators and subsequently prosecuted. Dunbar claimed he had sent the message to Wreh in a moment of anger after losing a bet on the match, which Tottenham won 3-0.

The 28-year-old refused to play for National League side Tamworth following the incident. He wrote on X, external two days after the game that he was supported by manager Andy Peaks but was "disappointed" the club did not make a public statement condemning the abuse he had suffered.

Wreh, who is the son of former Arsenal player Christopher Wreh, moved to Scunthorpe United on loan in February before signing permanently for National League South side Maidenhead United a month later.

Senior crown prosecutor Gavin Sumpter said: "Harry Dunbar lost a simple bet, and in a moment of anger, chose to break the law. Dunbar's actions in personally targeting Mr Wreh with such vile and hateful language whilst hiding behind an anonymous account were inexcusable and had a significant impact on the victim."

The FA said: "We hope that this ruling sends a clear message that incidents of discrimination - whether in person or online - will not be tolerated, and that strong action will be taken against perpetrators of this unacceptable behaviour."

Dunbar was also given a 12-month community order and instructed to do 200 hours of unpaid work, increased from 150 hours due to the racial element, the Crown Prosecution Service said. He was also ordered to attend 10 rehabilitation days and pay costs of £85.

What to Read Next

Racism in Football: Jess Carter's Concerns Over Lauren James' Potential Abuse
Football

Racism in Football: Jess Carter's Concerns Over Lauren James' Potential Abuse

Jess Carter shares her fears about the astronomical racist abuse Lauren James could face in football, highlighting ongoing issues in the sport.

Barry Bannan Confident Sheffield Wednesday Will Face Leicester in Championship Opener
Football

Barry Bannan Confident Sheffield Wednesday Will Face Leicester in Championship Opener

Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan expresses confidence in his team's readiness to face Leicester City in the Championship season opener despite off-season turmoil.

Jamie Cureton: The Ageless Football Legend Still Dominating the Pitch at 49
Football

Jamie Cureton: The Ageless Football Legend Still Dominating the Pitch at 49

Jamie Cureton, nearing 50, continues his remarkable football journey with Cambridge City, aiming for a historic 32nd season in English football.

Transfer Talks Heat Up: Rangers Eye Betis' Mendy and Arsenal's Hein
Football

Transfer Talks Heat Up: Rangers Eye Betis' Mendy and Arsenal's Hein

Rangers are in talks with Real Betis for Nobel Mendy and Arsenal's Karl Hein, while Celtic targets Brondby's Clement Bischoff and Cagliari's Adam Obert.

Chelsea's Levi Colwill Faces Season-Long Absence After ACL Surgery
Football

Chelsea's Levi Colwill Faces Season-Long Absence After ACL Surgery

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is set to miss most of the season following ACL surgery, a major blow for the team.

Path to Glory: How Teams Secure Their Spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup
Football

Path to Glory: How Teams Secure Their Spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup

Discover the intricate qualification process for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, featuring top clubs from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Premier League Rising Stars: 21 Players Set to Shine in the New Season
Football

Premier League Rising Stars: 21 Players Set to Shine in the New Season

Discover the 21 rising stars in the Premier League who are set to make a significant impact in the new season. From young talents to late bloomers, these players are ones to watch.

Russell Martin's Debut as Rangers Manager: Key Insights and Future Prospects
Football

Russell Martin's Debut as Rangers Manager: Key Insights and Future Prospects

Russell Martin's first game as Rangers manager provided key insights into his strategies and the team's potential for the upcoming season.

Kieran Tierney Returns to Celtic: A Homecoming with No Fitness Doubts
Football

Kieran Tierney Returns to Celtic: A Homecoming with No Fitness Doubts

Kieran Tierney rejoins Celtic on a five-year deal, confident in his fitness and ready to contribute to the team's success.

Morecambe FC Halts All Football Operations Amid Ownership Uncertainty
Football

Morecambe FC Halts All Football Operations Amid Ownership Uncertainty

Morecambe FC has suspended all football operations due to financial issues and ongoing ownership uncertainty, leading to player departures and league suspension.

Scottish League Cup Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Unprecedented Coverage and Excitement
Football

Scottish League Cup Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Unprecedented Coverage and Excitement

The Scottish League Cup marks its 80th anniversary with enhanced coverage and thrilling matchups, as 40 teams compete for glory in this prestigious knockout competition.

Mastering FPL: Top 4 Strategies to Build a Winning Fantasy Premier League Squad
Football

Mastering FPL: Top 4 Strategies to Build a Winning Fantasy Premier League Squad

Discover the top 4 strategies to build a winning Fantasy Premier League squad, featuring expert insights and tips for the 25-26 season.

How Aviation Experts Are Revolutionizing Football Refereeing in Scotland
Football

How Aviation Experts Are Revolutionizing Football Refereeing in Scotland

Discover how the Scottish FA is leveraging aviation expertise to enhance VAR communication and decision-making in football refereeing.

Mali's Resilient Draw Against Ghana Sets Stage for Wafcon Quarter-Finals
Football

Mali's Resilient Draw Against Ghana Sets Stage for Wafcon Quarter-Finals

Mali's comeback draw against Ghana in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations edges them closer to the quarter-finals, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess.

Guernsey FC Faces FA Cup Expulsion Due to Administrative Blunder
Football

Guernsey FC Faces FA Cup Expulsion Due to Administrative Blunder

Guernsey FC has been expelled from the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player, marking a significant setback for the club.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.