A Sheffield Wednesday fan has been charged after a message was posted online mocking a tragic West Bromwich Albion supporter with a Hillsborough taunt.
Richard Crisp, 55, from Hillsborough in Sheffield, is accused of sending an ‘indecent or offensive’ post after a man died at a Championship football match last Saturday.
A mocking post was shared online by an account on X, formerly Twitter, under his name after 57-year-old Mark Townsend died at last Saturday’s fixture between Wednesday and West Brom.
Mr Townsend, an Albion fan from Oldbury in the West Midlands, was in the Leppings Lane stand at Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium when he fell ill and died during the first half.
That was the same end of the ground where 97 Liverpool supporters received fatal injuries during a crush during their April 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, with 94 of them dying on the day.
Richard Crisp has been criticised by football supporters after a man was charged with posting on X, formerly Twitter, making a Hillsborough jibe about a West Brom fan’s death at a match
West Bromwich Albion say they will pay tribute at tonight’s match against Middlesbrough to Mark Townsend, 57, who died at last Saturday’s match at Sheffield Wednesday
A social media post shared following Saturday’s tragedy stated: ‘Another one to add to the Leppings Lane tally. What are we at now, 98? When we get to 100 we’ll have a party. Up the Owls.’
Horrified fans of both sides have condemned the comments and now he has not only been charged but also banned for life from Sheffield Wednesday, sacked by his employers and thrown out of his golf club.
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: ‘A Sheffield man has been charged following malicious communications shared on social media after a man sadly died during the Sheffield Wednesday V West Bromwich Albion fixture on Saturday 28 September.
‘Richard Crisp, 55, from Hillsborough, is charged with sending communication/article of an indecent or offensive nature.
‘He has been released on police bail until his court appearance at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 14 October 2024.’
The X account on which the mocking tweet was posted has now been suspended, with a message on the page now saying: ‘X suspends accounts which violate the X Rules.’
The social media post has been widely condemned online, with the sister of one Hillsborough victim among those calling for Sheffield Wednesday to act.
Louise Brookes, who lost her brother Andrew Mark Brookes at the 1989 disaster, told the club: ‘If this is one of your season ticket holders then you need to ban him for life.’
This was the post on X, formerly Twitter, which prompted complaints after it joked about the death of a West Brom fan on Saturday as well as the April 1989 Hillsborough disaster
Richard Crisp worked as a project manager for construction company Wates Group, which has posted a statement online saying a man of that name no longer works for them
Mark Townsend died after falling ill during the first half of the Championship fixture
Sheffield Wednesday has an announced a supporter has been given a lifetime ban for a post following the death of an away fan last Saturday at Hillsborough (pictured)
The account which sent the mocking post has now been suspended by X, formerly Twitter
Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed ‘a lifetime ban from all club activities and premises for the individual responsible for an abhorrent social media post’.
The club added: ‘The post was relative to the tragic passing of West Bromwich Albion supporter Mark Townsend following a medical emergency at Hillsborough on Saturday.
‘We condemn absolutely this outrageous behaviour and underline our zero tolerance policy towards unlawful activity on all social media platforms.
‘Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Mr Townsend and the wider West Bromwich Albion community at this incredibly difficult time.’
A West Brom fan responded to Wednesday’s statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, by saying: ‘Handled perfectly. Thank you. Every club has idiots and we know he doesn’t represent your fanbase.’
Wednesday fans also disowned their fellow fan, with Paul Hardy posting: ‘Can only apologise on behalf of all true Wednesday supporters. Utter scum.’
Another wrote: ‘How in that moment can someone’s first thought be too go on social media and post anything about such a tragedy is beyond me! RIP and condolences to all involved!’
And construction firm the Wates Group said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that Richard Crisp is no longer employed by the Wates Group.
Supporters have been condemning the insult in posts on X, formerly Twitter – among them was Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew Mark Brookes died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster
A total of 97 fans suffered fatal injuries in a crush at Hillsborough’s Leppings Lane end during the April 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest
Tributes are seen covering a fence and path in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy
‘The comments he made over the weekend are unacceptable and completely at odds with our values as a company.
‘We offer our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the tragedy at the West Bromwich Albion game this weekend and to all those who lost loved ones at Hillsborough.’
Hillsborough Golf Club in Sheffield also revealed Crisp had been kicked out.
The club said in a statement: ‘The board at Hillsborough Golf Club can confirm that Richard Crisp is no longer a member of our club.
‘His comments made recently on X do not reflect the values of our club and the rest of our members.
#Our thoughts are with everyone who was affected by the events at the recent match between Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom.’
Meanwhile, West Brom said they would pay tribute to Townsend in their next Championship fixture against Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns on Tuesday.
The club said: ‘Carlos Corberán’s men will wear black armbands for the clash with Boro and the club also invites fans to join a 57th-minute applause.
West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberán, pictured watching his side take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough last Saturday, was among those paying tribute to Mark Townsend
Corberán and WBA player Jed Wallace posted messages on X following Saturday’s game
West Bromwich Albion posted an online tribute to Baggies fan Mark Townsend and said their players would be wearing black armbands against Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns tonight
‘The thoughts of all at the club remain with Mark’s family at this desperately sad time.’
West Brom manager Corberán posted on Saturday evening: ‘Unfortunately we received the worst news. Our supporter passed away after today’s game. All my thoughts are with his family in this very sad moment. R.I.P.’
And one of the club’s players Jed Wallace posted: ‘Today is a very sad day for our club. RIP to the supporter who heartbreakingly lost their life in the away end today. As a squad we send our love & condolences to his family.’
Mr Townsend’s brother Steve posted on social media the following day, saying: ‘My heart is truly broken, my son had to watch my brother pass away and lose an Uncle, and is left with those memories.
‘I have had to break the news to my parents and his wife. My brother loved the Baggies, he was my best mate and going to a game will never be the same.’
