Jack Fletcher – the son of club legend Darren Fletcher – has received a six-game ban and been fined £1,500 for calling a Barnsley player a “gay boy”, with the Manchester United midfielder apologising for his conduct.
Fletcher made the comment when playing for United Under-21s in October’s 5-2 EFL Trophy loss at Oakwell. On 62 minutes Fletcher used the homophobic term in an argument with an unnamed Barnsley player, according to the testimony of Will Davis, the referee, who subsequently sent the 18-year-old off. Fletcher admitted the charge, with both the opponent and the FA regulatory commission accepting he did not wish to be intentionally homophobic.
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On Wednesday Fletcher apologised. “I am truly sorry for the offensive word that I used in the heat of the moment. 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.”
The club said: “Manchester United has worked with Jack to strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language, and why it is harmful. In addition to his ongoing participation in regular academy programmes on diversity and inclusion, Jack will also take part in educational training through the FA.”
As Fletcher served a two-game ban immediately after the incident, he was banned for a further four non-first-team competitive matches. The last of those comes on Friday, after which he is available for domestic football again.
Fletcher’s senior debut came as a 73rd-minute substitute in December’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa and he has made two more appearances off the bench, against Newcastle and Wolves later that month.
Darren Fletcher, a United player for 13 years, was interim manager for two games in early January after Ruben Amorim’s sacking and is back in charge of United’s Under-18s.
