Southend says racist abuse fan will be banned
PA MediaSouthend United FC has said the person who sent racist abuse to an Oldham Athletic player will be banned from matches once they are identified.
The Latics beat Southend 3-2 after extra time in the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
After the match, Oldham defender Shaun Hobson shared a screenshot of a private message he received and wrote that he was "not angry, just disappointed".
Hobson played for the Shrimpers before making the switch to Oldham in 2023.
The 26-year-old appeared in the final as a substitute in the 98th minute.
The message was believed to have been sent by a Southend fan and the club said it "strongly condemns the racial abuse".
"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," said a Southend statement.
The club said it had reached out to Oldham and Hobson 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," a spokesperson said.
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