Tottenham Ladies’ Hector: I felt a responsibility to call it out
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies celebrate a goal (pic: Wu's Photography). - Credit: Archant
The Spurs player welcomed the FA’s decision to hand Sophie Jones a five-match ban
Renee Hector has spoken out following the Football Association’s decision to suspend Sophie Jones for five games.
The Tottenham Hotspur Ladies player was the subject of racist abuse during the club’s 2-1 win at Sheffield United Women on January 6 2019.
Hector made the referee at the time aware and tweeted about receiving “monkey noises” following the FA Women’s Championship match.
Just over two months after the incident occurred, Jones has been suspended immediately for five matches after an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 (1) was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission.
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In addition to the ban, which would have seen her miss the remainder of the campaign, she has been fined £200 and ordered to attend an FA education course.
Karen Hills’ Spurs Ladies will actually take on Sheffield United on Sunday in a strange twist of fate.
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It will be the reverse fixture from the previous clash which took place at Olympic Legacy Park in January.
Speaking about Wednesday’s announcement, Hector said: “There is no place for racism in our game.
“A zero tolerance policy is imperative in stamping this out from football therefore I welcome this verdict.
“No one should be subjected to racist abuse on or off the pitch and I felt a responsibility to call it out for what it was.
“I want to now concentrate on the last five games of the FA Women’s Championship and trying to secure promotion with Spurs. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this process.”
Kick It Out added: “Verdicts like this underline the importance of calling out discrimination wherever it’s heard – in the women’s or men’s game and at any level.
“We stand with Renee Hector and her Tottenham Hotspur Ladies team-mates and hope others facing a similar situation are empowered to follow their lead.”
Sheffield United have since confirmed Jones’ time with the Blades has come to an end.
A statement read: “Following dialogue between the club and Jones, and taking into account the length of the suspension, it has been decided that her contract, which was due for review in the summer, will be terminated by mutual agreement.”
