Stamp it Out: Footballer suspended over the use of the word spastic while making an on-field comment

THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A SERIES OF CASES ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION AND HIGHLIGHTED BY KENTONLINE IN A BID TO IMPROVE BEHAVIOUR IN OUR GAME

Ignorance of a word’s meaning was no defence to a footballer charged with using the word “spastic” in a derogatory manner.

Cray Valley’s Freddie Parker pleaded guilty to FA charges over language used in a Kent Senior Cup game against Punjab United in October, aggravated by a reference to disability.

Mr Parker received a five-match ban in addition to two games already served and was ordered to complete an online education course. The decision was subject to the right of appeal.

The charge referred to a comment of “you little f****** spastic” and “running around like spastics kicking people” or similar.

Mr Parker submitted a guilty plea accepting the charges but added mitigating factors.

Evidence examined by the FA’s disciplinary commission included statements from the referee, assistant referees, the Cray Valley match secretary and Mr Parker along with evidence submitted in defence of the charges by Cray Valley’s general manager Steve Chapman.

The commission had to consider how a reasonable observer would perceive the words used in the given context.

The Commission was satisfied that the alleged comment was improper, abusive, offensive and made a reference to disability.

The Commission considered Mr Parker to be apologetic, which contributed to mitigating his sanction.

In the commission’s report, it stated that they did not consider Mr Parker’s ignorance of the meaning of the word “spastic” to be an aggravating factor.

Their report said: “Mr Parker has the duty to know and understand the words he expresses. Therefore, it would be a violation of such duty if he