Man fined after sending racist messages to England footballer Djed Spence
Brian Bealey targeted the player with grossly offensive abuse on social media
Last updated 22nd Sep 2026
A man has been fined after admitting he sent racist messages to an England international footballer.
Brian Bealey, 69, posted multiple public comments on the social media platform X directed at England and then-Tottenham Hotspur player Djed Spence.
The messages were sent between 17th and 29th March, and contained racially offensive language and slurs aimed at Spence, who now plays for Inter Milan, and other people.
They were assessed as grossly offensive and racially aggravated.
Bealey, of Main Street, Witchford, near Ely, was identified after a referral from the Football Association and Premier League following England's fixture against Uruguay on 27th March.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary's dedicated Football Policing Officer worked alongside the UK Football Policing Unit to trace him, linking the X account used to send the messages to Bealey.
At Cambridge Magistrates' Court on Thursday 17th September, Bealey pleaded guilty to sending offensive messages by public communication.
He was fined £1,000.
Detective Sergeant Dominic Carminati, who investigated, said: "There is absolutely no place for racism, either in football or in society as a whole.
"Djed Spence was subjected to a series of offensive, degrading and racially aggravated messages that were intended to cause distress and spread hatred online.
"People often believe they can hide behind anonymous social media accounts, but this case demonstrates that those who use online platforms to target others with racist abuse can and will be identified.
"We would encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses racist abuse online to report it to the platform involved and to police."