Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic slur that has led to him receiving a six-match ban.
The England Under-19s international, son of United legend Darren Fletcher, was shown a red card in the 62nd minute of a 5-2 Vertu Trophy defeat by Barnsley in October.
At the time, it was not clear what had prompted the decision.
However, the Football Association (FA) has now confirmed that Fletcher, 18, was sent off for calling an opponent “gay boy”.
“I am truly sorry for the offensive word I used in the heat of the moment,” said Fletcher.
“I completely understand that such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game.”
Fletcher said a “momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values”.
The 18-year-old insisted he “had no intention to use the term as a homophobic insult”, which the disciplinary commission hearing accepted but felt the player should receive a six-match ban, which has been accepted by the midfielder and his club.
He was also fined Ksh259,000 and must attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme or face further suspension until it is completed.
In its written reasons, the FA said Fletcher made his comment to an opponent who had made remarks about him and his family throughout the match.
Fletcher’s twin brother, Tyler, was also playing, while Darren was in the crowd.
Fletcher, who made his Premier League debut against Aston Villa in December and has made three appearances for United’s first team, told the FA he had been thrown to the floor, and his Achilles tendon had been stamped on by the same opponent earlier in the game.
United said they have been working with Fletcher to “strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and why it is harmful”.
They said he will continue to take part in club diversity programmes in addition to the training he has been told to do by the FA.
United’s official LGBTQ+ fans group, Rainbow Devils, said it welcomed Fletcher’s apology and that “homophobic language has no place in football or society, regardless of intention or connotation”.
“Words matter, and words hurt,” it said.
