03 February 2024 , 19:04
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West Brom and West Midlands Police have launched investigations after Birmingham midfielder Juninho Bacuna was the victim of more alleged racist abuse.
Just a week after serious crowd trouble marred Albion’s FA Cup exit to Wolves, Bacuna reported comments to the referee in injury time of his side’s 1-0 victory over Birmingham on Saturday. It is the second time the midfielder has been on the receiving end of vile remarks – after similar comments from one of his own fans against Huddersfield in October.
Former West Brom manager Tony Mowbray, now in charge of Birmingham, has called for serious action. He said: “Juninho made the referee aware that there was racial abuse. He's not very happy.
“I think it is getting dealt with downstairs. It's sad, it's not the first time. And a few weeks ago a former player of mine [Coventry midfielder] Kasey Palmer received it. The consequences need to be stronger over what punishment people face. If you shout something you must be able to think 'I'll never watch football again.’”
Albion boss Carlos Corberan said: “I am in a club that is very proactive to create more fair situations for anyone. I know my players always take the knee and we are one of the clubs that has been making more things in favour to avoid any type of antagonising situations. I know the club will take a serious investigation if something has been damaging to people.”
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A West Midlands Police spokesperson told Mirror Football: "We're investigating after a Birmingham City player was racially abused during the game at The Hawthorns today.
"We’ll be looking at CCTV and working with both clubs to identify who was responsible, and offer support to the player. We do not tolerate racist abuse in any form either in football or society in general, and we will seek to prosecute anyone who commits hate crime."
The incident marred an important win for Corberan’s side, who are fifth in the Championship thanks to Andreas Weimann’s 85th-minute winner.
Tony Mowbray condemned the abuse of his player (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Corberan has been hoping for a quiet afternoon after becoming a father to his second child, a son Dario, in the early hours, but Weimann stirred things in the stands with his full-time celebration. “Everything's OK, the boy understood the faster the better before the game and everything has been healthy for my wife and for him. It's a big thing for me and my family,” Corberan said.
“This week has been a very demanding and challenging week. When you have a personal situation you normally can’t rest. I’ve a lot of respect for Andi, he has someone who has built a very good career in the country. He has deserved everything he has done. I didn’t see his celebration but I thought he was enjoying it with our fans.”
West Brom are also facing an investigation from the Football Association over the crowd trouble which saw their FA Cup tie against Wolves suspended. The 2-0 win for Wolves was stopped for over 30 minutes last weekend following trouble in the crowd.