- Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has been handed a six-match suspension and a £1,500 fine for insulting an opponent during an EFL Trophy match in October.
- The 18-year-old, who is the son of former United player and interim manager Darren Fletcher, was sent off after calling a Barnsley player a “gay boy”, a comment overheard by the referee.
- Fletcher accepted an FA charge for an aggravated breach of Rule E.2, which covers discriminatory language, and has been ordered to attend a mandatory education programme.
- The FA panel determined that his words were intended to be derogatory rather than homophobic, noting he had been provoked by the opponent.
- Fletcher, who has already served two matches of his ban, apologised for his “momentary lapse of character” and stated the language does not reflect his beliefs or values.
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