Players to receive minimum 10-game ban if found guilty of discrimination in tougher FA rules | OneFootball

Players and officials found guilty of discrimination will now face a minimum 10-game ban under enhanced Football Association rules.

This toughens previous guidelines, which recommended six to 12 games for aggravated breaches.

Such misconduct includes any express or implied reference to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, or disability.

The new rules also apply to players, managers, and other officials.

A statement from the FA read: “The FA is committed to delivering a game free from discrimination.

“While significant progress has been made in recent years, discriminatory conduct continues to be a challenge across the game.

“Enhanced measures are necessary to tackle this abhorrent conduct, and The FA’s updated sanction guidelines will now require Regulatory Commissions to impose a standard suspension of at least 10 matches in these circumstances.”

Sanctions of more than 10 matches can be imposed if significant aggravating factors are present, while lesser punishments are also possible if there are mitigating factors and the individual admits the breach at the earliest opportunity.

Six matches would be the minimum ban in such cases, while the only situation in which a lesser sanction could be imposed would be if the aggravated breach took place in writing only.

Any player or official committing a second aggravated breach, meanwhile, would face a stronger sanction than for their first offence.

In June, former Watford midfielder Pierre Dwomoh was banned for 11 matches for racially abusing a team-mate.

The 22-year-old Belgian was ruled by an independent disciplinary commission to have committed “very serious” and “completely unacceptable” offences when he targeted a player of Indian heritage, who is referred to as Player A in the FA’s written reasons.

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Dwomoh (right) was banned for 11 matches in June for racially abusing a team-mate (Getty)

Dwomoh announced he had left the Championship club in April and his ban has been backdated to then.

The FA were keen to have his suspension increased to 16 game but this appeal was dismissed.

Watford told The Watford Observer that they support the decision to sanction Dwomoh, with The Independent understanding he was made unavailable for selection by the club as soon as the incident was self-reported.

The midfielder made one senior appearance for the Hornets last season before his exit.

Dwomoh was also fined £2,500 and ordered to complete a compulsory face-to-face education programme by 9 August.