Barrow man who sent abuse to Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz has been sentenced

A man who sent offensive online messages to a Premier League footballer which included a monkey emoji and wished death on his family has been jailed.

Harry Brown, 25, from Barrow, targeted Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz after he scored in home and away matches against Liverpool in 2024 and 2025.

Brown sent messages saying “I hope your family dies” followed by a monkey emoji and another message that called Muniz a “slave.”

Brown previously admitted two offenses of malicious communication at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court and was handed a three-year football ban and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

District Judge Philip Holden told Brown while sentencing him: “Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho has the right to practice his law practice without being intimidated, racially abused or threatened by your family.

“What you did was engage in racist behavior of a racist nature.”

The court previously heard that after Muniz scored against Liverpool during a 2-2 draw at Anfield on December 14, 2024, Brown referred to Muniz as a “slave” and said he hoped the Brazilian’s family would “be hurt.”

Then, after Fulham beat Liverpool 3-2 in the second leg on April 6, Brown, of Maple Street, sent another offensive message which included a monkey emoji.

Muniz filmed the offensive content after the second instance of abuse, reported it to his club and the police were alerted.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson told the court on Thursday: “The defendant was subsequently arrested at his place of work, which is Barrow District Court.”

At the time, Brown was working for GEOAmey in the cells of Barrow Court.

“I was disgusted and insulted by these comments, and in my opinion the monkey emoji and the use of the term ‘slave’ were sent as a racist insult because of my heritage,” Muniz said in a statement.

“Also, wanting my family to get hurt or die is very humiliating.”

Barrister Tristan Roberts, mitigating, said Brown was “completely and completely ashamed of himself”.

“He made a very foolish mistake, on two occasions, when his nerves, anger and emotions got the better of him.

“He was struck in a way that was disgusting in hindsight.”

“Today’s ruling sends a clear and strong message that abuse in any form will not be tolerated,” Fulham said in a statement.

“It also serves as a reminder that online abusers can face serious consequences and that there are no protections to hide people who post hate comments.”

Ch Insp Kim Brown of Cumbria Police said the force “condemned the vile abuse”, adding that Brown “cannot hide behind a social media profile to post these vile comments”.