Burnley striker Andre Gray has been suspended for four games and fined £25,000 for homophobic posts on made on Twitter when he was a non-league player, including one where he said he wanted gay people to “die”. Gray did not fight the decision and will miss games against Watford, Arsenal, Everton, and Southampton.
Gray was warned over his future conduct by the FA and ordered to take an educational course in addition to the suspension and fines.
Here is a statement from the FA:
“It was alleged that six postings on his Twitter account were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to Rule E3(1).
‘It was further alleged that these breaches of Rule E3(1) included a reference to sexual orientation and/or gender and/or colour and/or race contrary to Rule E3(2).
‘The player admitted to three of the breaches, and denied the remaining three were in breach of FA Rules”.
It’s important that players face punishment for conduct like this not only on the pitch, but on social media as well, and the FA has followed through on that with a harsh suspension for four-year-old tweets. Gray might not be a huge name, but he is critical for Burnley’s ability to stay in the Premier League.
Well done, FA.
