Fifteen-year-old boy questioned by police over racist abuse of Rhian Brewster

Brewster was racially abused in March

A 15-year-old boy has been questioned by police over online racist abuse sent to Sheffield United striker Rhian Brewster in March. The former Liverpool forward reported the racist abuse he received on Instagram on March 18, 2021, with South Yorkshire Police launching an investigation at the time. With their investigation identifying people outside their force area, two cases were transferred to Staffordshire Police and West Yorkshire Police.

15-year-old interviewed under caution

As reported by Sky Sports News, West Yorkshire Police have since interviewed a 15-year-old boy under caution in relation to the racist abuse. Police officers in Staffordshire spoke to a 14-year-old boy in October 2021, who admitted abusing United striker Brewster. He was then referred to the Youth Offending Service. The Youth Offending Service, which is run by each local authority in England and Wales, is designed to "put right the harm already done and prevent future offending".

Instagram 'unable to take action'

Instagram previously stated that because the abuse was not reported using their "in-app tools", they were unable to take action against the offending users. The social media company reportedly contacted the striker's representatives to let them know how to report it officially. Brewster, who helped England win the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, signed for Sheffield United from Liverpool in October 2020 on a five-year contract for a club-record deal worth £23.5m. Since signing for the Blades, the 22-year-old has scored four goals in 46 appearances. Related links:

• Journalists walk out of SFW awards over ‘sexist and racist’ jokes made on stage
• Football fan banned from attending matches after racist monkey chants
• Boy, seven, subjected to racist abuse at St Helens Super League match