The Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has been given a six-match suspension after being sent off for calling an opponent a “gay boy”.
The 18-year-old, who is the son of United’s former caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, was shown a red card in an EFL Trophy match against Barnsley in October.
He was dismissed when referee Will Davis overheard him insulting the Barnsley player, whose identity has been redacted, and pleaded guilty at an FA hearing to an aggravated breach of Rule E.2, which involves a reference to “ethnic origin, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability”.
Fletcher, who was also fined £1,500, has been ordered to attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme, though both the FA and the Barnsley player accepted he had no intention to be homophobic.
The England under-19 international had been abused during the Barnsley game by a player who directed personal insults at his father and twin brother, Tyler, as well as being on the receiving end of two off-the-ball fouls.
And, when taunted after Barnsley scored their third goal, he admitted that he replied: “You seem to know a lot about me, are you a gay boy?”
An FA panel determined that his words were intended to be derogatory rather than homophobic and United are working with the teenager to educate him about discriminatory language.
Fletcher, who has already served two matches of his suspension, 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.”
The FA determined that, as the incident occurred in a non-first-team match, his ban should be served in them as well.
Fletcher could have been suspended for up to 12 matches but was given credit for admitting his guilt at the first possible opportunity, while his age and inexperience were mitigating factors.
Jack Fletcher has made three appearances for United this season and was given his debut by former manager Ruben Amorim in December, while Tyler, also a midfielder, made his first-team start in February.
Darren Fletcher, the current manager of United’s under-18s, has been technical director, first-team coach and caretaker manager after a career in which he made 342 appearances for the club.
