WEST BROM have contacted the police after Romaine Sawyers suffered ‘abhorrent’ racist abuse.
The Baggies midfielder, 29, was targeted on social media following the midweek defeat to Manchester City.
Sawyers, from Birmingham, played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday as Sam Allardyce’s side lost 5-0.
He was then attacked with a vile message and in turn informed his club.
West Brom said on Friday morning: “West Bromwich Albion has today contacted West Midlands Police to report a racist message sent to Romaine Sawyers on social media.
“Everyone at the club is appalled by the abhorrent message which was sent during Tuesday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester City.
“The club has a proud history of confronting all forms of discrimination and will assist the authorities with their inquiries, seeking the toughest available legal punishment, as well as a lifetime ban from The Hawthorns for the individual responsible.
“Albion will offer Romaine the relevant support required at this time and continues with its long-standing commitment to help rid football of racism.
“There is No Room For Racism. Anywhere.
“Challenge it, report it, change it.”
Sawyers came through the Baggies academy before leaving in 2013 to join Walsall.
He spent three years with the Saddlers and another three with Brentford before returning to The Hawthorns in 2019.
The centre-mid has 26 caps for the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team.
West Brom played a significant role in the acceptance of black footballers in the English game.
Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson were key members of Ron Atkinson’s side in the late 1970s.
The sickening news surrounding Sawyers comes just a day after Manchester United pair Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial were victims of racist abuse online.
Defender Tuanzebe took to social media in response with a message of unity, writing: “My race. My religion. My colour = football.”
The Old Trafford club said: “We utterly condemn it and it is encouraging to see other fans condemn this on social media also.
“Identifying these anonymous mindless idiots remains problematic.
“We urge social media platforms and regulatory authorities to strengthen measures to prevent this kind of behaviour.”
