FACTCHECK: Has an Arsenal fan committed suicide in Kenya over Premier League loss?

Claim

Following Arsenal’s inability to clinch the 2023/2024 Premier League title, a Kenyan man is reported to have committed suicide.

A viral video sighted by GhanaWeb shows the lifeless body of the deceased hanging as people watched on.

The man, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, is said to have taken his life following his club’s failure to end their trophy drought, which has lasted two decades.

Evidence

The only source of this information is a Kenyan X account which claims that the incident happened on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Verification

The story has not been published by any major Kenyan news outlet. While some Nigerian portals have shared it, their primary source is the X account that first tweeted it.

Also, the story seems to align with a 2009 incident of an Arsenal fan committing suicide after the club lost to Manchester United.

Verdict: The claim is unproven

Available evidence cannot emphatically confirm that the incident happened on Sunday, May 19, 2024, and was due to his team’s failure to win the 2023/2024 Premier League.

Background

Arsenal’s dream of winning their first league title in two decades failed to materialize after Manchester City defeated West Ham 3-1 in the final match of the Premier League on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Pep Guardiola’s side defeated West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

England forward, Phil Foden, scored a brace with Rodri adding the third. Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus got the consolation for West Ham with an unbelievable volley.

Arsenal, on the other hand, had to rely on a late Kai Havertz goal to defeat Everton 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, by virtue of that victory, secured their highest points tally (89) since the 2003/2004 season where they clocked 90 points.

Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey, featured in the game and gave away the free kick that fetched Everton the lead.

EK/AE