Police investigating after rotten banana thrown at black student in racist attack at Sheffield varsity ice hockey match

The incident took place during a varsity hockey match
PA Archive/PA Images
Martin Coulter6 April 2018
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Police are investigating an alleged racist attack in which a banana was thrown at a black student during a university ice hockey game.

Tyrell Pearce, a sports science student at Sheffield Hallam university, said the "banter was flowing" at the varsity match between rowdy Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam university supporters

But when his friends left his side to get drinks at half time, he felt the fruit splatter across the back of his head.

He told the Tab student newspaper : "I felt something hit the back of my head but I didn't turn around.

"I chose to ignore it until I looked down and saw that it was a rotten banana and I had its contents all over my head.

"I got up and people were shocked as they realised what had been thrown...I angrily shouted 'Who threw the banana?'

"This was the worst racial abuse I had ever experienced...I couldn't retaliate physically because I felt I would just be living up to a stereotype of my ethnic group.

"If nothing is done, more people will think it's OK to repeat the same behaviour."

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesman told the Standard: “We are aware that, during a recent Varsity sporting event, a Hallam graduate was the victim of an alleged racial incident.

“We are working with the University of Sheffield to investigate the incident and we have contacted the former student to offer any support he may need.

“The sporting community in Sheffield is inclusive and we are committed to championing the values of the Varsity Oath which reflects our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to play, spectate and engage in sport in a welcoming and inclusive environment.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire police said: "We are aware of this incident and that it has been reported to the University. At this time, a complaint has not yet been made to police.

"Officers are working to contact the man to establish if he wants to make a formal complaint in relation to this incident."

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