Sexual Orientation
FA investigate assistant referee for homophobia
Homophobia and football
David Cameron’s recently launched initiative to address issues of discrimination in football has been kicked in the teeth fairly early on. The campaign to address homophobia and racism in particular has taken a setback with the news that a Premier League linesman is the subject of serious homophobic.
Scott Ledger, a 34-year-old assistant referee fast-tracked into the top flight, has been reported to the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA for allegedly making highly unacceptable comments to a team of youngsters aged between 15 and 16 during a five-a-side competition for South Yorkshire referees associations.
Ledger, who was playing for Rotherham in the competition, is also alleged to have continued the homophobic abuse against the young referees from Barnsley in the social gathering afterwards.
The letter of complaint was sent by the Barnsley Referees Association to their regional FA who have informed their Wembley bosses .
The FA are cracking down on homophobia to the extent of handing out considerable fines for comments made on Twitter. Including amongst others Manchester United’s Federico Macheda has been docked £15,000, West Ham’s Ravel Morrison £7,000, Newcastle’s Nile Ranger £6,000 and Walsall’s Manny Smith £1,200.
An FA spokesperson said: ‘The FA are aware of a complaint made in relation to an alleged homophobic remark made by a participant and will be investigating.’
Source: The Daily Mail:
Dr Donald Macaskill
