Jack Fletcher handed six-match FA ban and fine for homophobic slur in EFL Trophy | OneFootball

Jack Fletcher, the 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder and son of Darren, has been given a six-match FA ban and a £1,500 fine for using a homophobic slur in the EFL Trophy on 21 October, according to L'Équipe.

The incident came in United Under-21s’ 5-2 defeat at Barnsley, where he was sent off in the 62nd minute after calling an opponent “gay boy”.

The FA judged it an aggravated breach of misconduct. Fletcher admitted the charge and apologised, saying he spoke in the heat of the moment and accepts such language is unacceptable. He said he apologised straight after the match and that the lapse does not reflect his beliefs or values.

He will continue the academy’s diversity and inclusion programmes and undertake FA education. United said they have worked with him to strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and its harm. The BBC reported that Rainbow Devils, the club’s LGBTQI+ supporters’ group, welcomed his apology and said homophobic language has no place in football or society, regardless of intent.

Fletcher made his Premier League debut in the 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa on 21 December and has three senior appearances, all that month. His twin brother Tyler also plays for United.

Their father Darren Fletcher, 42, played for United from 2002 to 2015. He served as interim head coach after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January, taking two matches before returning to lead the club’s under-18s, with the first team now managed by Michael Carrick.

Source: L'Équipe