‘Vile’ social media trolls are focusing on a Black ice hockey participant who unintentionally killed American athlete Adam Johnson.
Johnson, 29, who performed for the British workforce the Nottingham Panthers, died Sunday after Sheffield Steelers star Matt Petrgrave’s skate minimize his throat in a ‘freak accident’.
Petgrave, from Toronto, Canada, crashed into one among Johnson’s teammates through the Saturday match, footage confirmed.
The collision appeared to throw him off steadiness and trigger him to lift his leg into the air in the direction of the Minnesota native.
There was no suggestion Petgrave did something improper, with police stressing that an investigation into Johnson’s dying is ‘regular process’.
But in ‘sickening’ posts on X, previously referred to as Twitter, customers accused Petgrave of being a ‘assassin’ earlier than declaring ‘White lives matter’ or ‘Hold hockey white’.
One known as the accident ‘anti-white terrorism’ as others used racist language to explain Petgrave.
Followers of Johnson and Petgrave see in any other case, nevertheless. Whether or not at a makeshift shrine for Johnson exterior the Panthers’ Motorpoint Area in Nottingham or on-line, individuals are making it clear that abuse in opposition to Petgrave is ‘disgusting’.
Talking on the tribute lined by bouquets of flowers and ’47’ mugs – Johnson’s jersey quantity – fan Tina Taylor pleaded for the ‘terrible trolling’ to cease.
She instructed The Telegraph: ‘[Petgrave] was completely distraught by the dying of an opponent but it surely was a tragic accident and he was to not blame.’
Numerous customers on X echoed this, with Barnsley native Charlie Harvey saying: ‘The quantity of hate and abuse Matt Petgrave is receiving is sickening!
‘A freak accident doesn’t give folks the precise to offer abuse and harassment to any human!’
Samantha, from Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, added: ‘The hatred and racism being directed at Matt Petgrave is completely disgusting.
‘There is no such thing as a approach that what occurred with Adam Johnson was finished with any intent in any respect.’
Ian Braisby, a Panthers fan from Birmingham, stated on X: ‘I actually hope Matt Petgrave is getting the assist he wants. Can’t think about what that poor man should be going by means of.’
He was replying to a put up sharing a Change.org petition signed by greater than 4,600 folks calling for the mandated use of neck guards for ice hockey gamers.
South Yorkshire Police, which was known as to the Utilita Area in Sheffield on the night time of the incident, stated officers have launched an investigation.
A drive spokesperson added: ‘Our officers stay on the scene finishing up inquiries.
‘Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident stays ongoing.
‘We might encourage the general public to keep away from hypothesis relating to the incident whereas we proceed our inquiries.’
The Nottingham Panthers, knowledgeable ice hockey membership, stated in a tribute that the workforce is ‘actually devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically handed away following a freak accident’.
‘Adam, our quantity 47, was not solely an impressive ice hockey participant but additionally an excellent teammate and an unbelievable individual along with his complete life forward of him. The Membership will dearly miss him and can by no means ever overlook him,’ the membership’s assertion added.
Johnson’s companion Ryan Wolfe reportedly bumped into the rink moments after the harm.
In a tribute on Instagram in the present day, she stated: ‘My candy candy angel. I’ll miss you eternally and love you at all times.’
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