Man Utd youngster Jack Fletcher has been handed a six-game ban by the FA after he admitted using a homophobic insult during an EFL Trophy game.
Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic insult during an EFL Trophy fixture against Barnsley earlier this season after being handed a six-game suspension by the Football Association.
The son of former Manchester United midfielder and current Under-18s head coach Darren was sent off during the game against the League One outfit’s first team in October. He used the offensive term after becoming embroiled in a running battle with an older opponent, who made comments to him about his father and twin brother, Tyler.
During the game, Fletcher snapped and asked why his opponent was so aware of his background, using a homophobic insult as part of the question.
After being charged by the FA, Fletcher explained he did not intend for the insult to be homophobic, something the governing body and the opponent involved accepted to be the case.
Try MEN Premium NOW for just £1
Referee Will Davis was one yard away from Fletcher when he heard the player use the offensive term. While he did not dispute it, Fletcher feels he was provoked during the game, including two off-the-ball incidents and having his Achilles stamped on.
Fletcher regrets the lapse in character and insists it doesn’t represent his character or beliefs, and said it was uttered in an unguarded moment of anger. He said he understood his choice of words was unacceptable and apologised, accepting the FA charge at the earliest opportunity.
The youngster, who has made three appearances for the first team this season and is the son of Under-18s boss Darren, was banned for two games for the red card and has been handed a four-game ban after accepting an aggravated breach of FA rule E3.1. He has served three of those four games, with only non-first-team competitive fixtures counting.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
Fletcher’s ban means he has missed the last three Premier League 2 games, and his suspension is due to finish with the Friday night fixture against Birmingham City in that competition.
Fletcher, who was also fined £1,500 and ordered to attend FA education, said: “I am truly sorry for the offensive word that I used in the heat of the moment.
“Despite the fact that I had no intention to use the term as a homophobic insult, I completely understand that such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game. I want to be clear that this momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values.”
United have taken steps to enhance players’ understanding of discriminatory language and its harmful effects.