Rodrigo Muniz playing for Fulham. It looks like he is running and leaning to his left. His mouth is open. He is wearing a white Fulham home kit with the black Adidas logo on the left with the three stripes across the shoulders. The fans in the stand are out of focus behind him.Getty Images
A man has pleaded guilty to sending abusive direct online messages to a Premier League footballer, including a monkey emoji and wishing death on the player's family.
Harry Brown, 25, of Maple Street in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, targeted Fulham's Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz after he scored in both home and away matches against Liverpool last season.
In a statement, Muniz said: "I was disgusted and offended by these comments."
At Carlisle Magistrates' Court, Brown admitted sending electronic communications, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the player. He will be sentenced on 22 January when an application for a football banning order will also be considered.
The court heard that after Muniz scored against Liverpool during the 2-2 draw at Anfield on 14 December 2024, Brown referred to Muniz as a "slave" and said he hoped the Brazilian's family "gets hurt".
Then, after Fulham beat Liverpool 3-2 in the return fixture on 6 April, Brown sent another abusive message which included a monkey emoji.
Prosecutor George Shelley told the court that, following Fulham's win, Brown sent a message on Instagram reading: "hope your family dies".
Muniz said he had had no previous contact from the Instagram account before the abuse started and had taken screenshots of the criminal content.
In the player's opinion, the court heard, the monkey emoji and use of the term "slave" had been sent in a racial context due to his heritage.
Muniz said: "My family still live in Brazil. This makes the comments worse."
Brown admitted his actions when interviewed by police.
The judge adjourned the case for the preparation of a probation service report ahead of sentencing.
Follow BBC Cumbria onX,Facebook,Nextdoor andInstagram.
Get in touch
Do you have a story suggestion for BBC Cumbria?
Contact form
Contact form
Related topics
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
Related internet links
HM Courts & Tribunals