Man Utd’s Jack Fletcher banned for homophobic slur
Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has been handed a six-match ban and fined £1,500 after using a homophobic slur during a match, with the 18-year-old issuing an apology.
Man Utd’s Jack Fletcher banned for homophobic slur
Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has been handed a six-match ban and fined £1,500 after using a homophobic slur during a match, with the 18-year-old issuing an apology.
The incident occurred during Manchester United Under-21s’ 5-2 EFL Trophy defeat to Barnsley in October. Referee Will Davis reported that Fletcher told a Barnsley player “you’re a gay boy” in the 62nd minute, leading to the youngster being sent off.
Fletcher admitted the charge. The Football Association regulatory commission accepted that he did not intend the remark as a homophobic insult. It also heard that Fletcher had been verbally abused by the Barnsley player beforehand, including insults about his twin brother Tyler and his father Darren Fletcher, the former Manchester United midfielder and interim manager.
In a statement on Wednesday, Fletcher apologised for the remark. “I am truly sorry for the offensive word that I used in the heat of the moment,” he said. “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.”
Manchester United said the club had worked with Fletcher to improve his understanding of discriminatory language. “Manchester United has worked with Jack to strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language, and why it is harmful,” the club said, adding that he will take part in additional educational training through the FA alongside the academy’s diversity and inclusion programmes.
Fletcher had already served a two-match suspension immediately after the incident and will now complete a further four non-first-team competitive matches. The final game of the ban is set for Friday, after which he will be eligible to play again in domestic football.
The midfielder made his senior debut in December as a substitute in Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa and later appeared off the bench against Newcastle and Wolves.
His father, Darren Fletcher, briefly served as Manchester United’s interim manager for two games in early January following the departure of Ruben Amorim and has since returned to managing the club’s Under-18 side.
