Ian Wright 'disappointed' after teenager Patrick O'Brien given probation over racist abuse

Match of the Day pundit Wright played 33 times for England

Ian Wright says he is "disappointed" after a teenager who sent the former England striker racist abuse was not given a criminal conviction.

Irishman Patrick O'Brien, 18, sent 20 messages on Instagram after losing a Fifa video game match in May 2019.

O'Brien, who blamed the loss on picking Wright as one of his players, was given probation at a hearing on Wednesday.

"I can only wonder what deterrent there is for anyone else who spouts this kind of vile racist abuse," said Wright.

Wright said he had not expected his forgiveness for O'Brien in a victim impact statement to be "an invitation to lighten a sentence".

He added: "I am disappointed. I'm tired. We are all tired."

On Wednesday, Southampton's Alex Jankewitz became the latest footballer to receive racist abuse on social media, with his club contacting Hampshire Police over messages sent to the teenage midfielder.

Earlier culture secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC sports editor Dan Roan the UK government has threatened social media companies with "large fines" if they fail to tackle abuse on their platforms, while "criminal sanctions" could be considered for senior management.

• UK government threatens companies with 'large fines'

• Saints contact police over Jankewitz abuse

• Henderson calls racist abuse 'assault with words'

Judge David Waters told Tralee District Court he "didn't see anything to be gained" by imposing a criminal conviction.

He noted O'Brien, of Sycamore Court, Ashleigh Downs in Tralee, had shown genuine remorse for his actions and had donated 500 euros (£440) to the Irish Network Against Racism.

O'Brien admitted harassing Wright and sending a message by phone that was grossly offensive, obscene and menacing.

The court heard O'Brien had written an apology to Wright, which was accepted by the 57-year-old former Arsenal player.

Judge Waters said the question was whether the slurs against Wright were motivated by genuinely held views or were the "mindless comments of a naive young man".

He criticised the "reprehensible views and language" O'Brien had put on social media, but said it appeared he had shown "genuine remorse," made frank admissions of his guilt and received a "very positive" probation report.

His solicitor, Patrick Mann, said O'Brien was a "very, very good boy" who was getting "great results" at school, adding that he was "still a young lad" and asked that he be allowed to go forward "without any stain" on his record.

Judge Waters said he was minded to send O'Brien on a course to help him understand the gravity of his actions, but added that the teenager had already done this "off his own back".

The judge said that Wright "generously forgave" O'Brien and the accused had reason to be thankful for that.

But reacting to the judgement, the BBC pundit said: "An individual wished death on me because of my skin colour.

"No judge's claims of 'naivety' or 'immaturity' will be acceptable to us."

O'Brien (right) leaves Tralee District Court after the hearing

In May 2020, Wright posted a series of screengrabs on social media of the offensive messages he received from O'Brien.

"I know I'm not meant to look at them but these messages still hit me so hard," he said at the time.

"This kid has a direct line into me and is able to send this without any worry."

On Sunday, Wright reacted to the news that Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and other players had been racially abused on social media.

"It seems to be a fad now - a black player plays poorly, or they think they've played poorly, and they come with all the emojis, or whatever it is," he told Match of the Day.

"There are ways of being able to catch people. I don't think they [social media companies] are vigilant enough, nowhere near. How much do they really care deep down?"