Simpson 'very fortunate' to receive minimum ban The former

Simpson 'very fortunate' to receive minimum ban

The former chair of the FA's Race Equality Advisory Board Yunus Lunat believes Jack Simpson was lucky to receive only the minimum match-based suspension after admitting to making an abhorrent racist slur towards former team-mate Rohan Luthra



The defender, who was axed by Cardiff in August, was banned for six matches and fined £8,000 after a report revealed he had racially abused Luthra, 21, during the club's pre-season tour to Portugal. You can read the full, shocking details here.

In their report, the Regulatory Commission took into account factors such as Simpson's admission, his apologies and show of remorse, seeking professional support and his previous disciplinary record and character, as well as his contract termination at Cardiff. However, even taking into account the aforementioned considerations, Lunat told Sky Sports: "Jack Simpson is very fortunate to have received the minimum match-based suspension.

"Rohan Luthra is the one of the highest-playing role models for South Asians in English football. To be subjected to such language in the safe environment and company of his own colleagues can only serve to deter young players from South Asian backgrounds."

Anti-discrimination sports charity Kick It Out have released a statement to say there is "no space for racist abuse" following the charge handed to Simpson.

Kick It Out CEO Tony Burnett told Sky Sports: "Kick It Out acknowledge the charge handed to Jack Simpson. There's no space for racist abuse between team-mates, or anywhere in the game, and it is reassuring to see the individual responsible being held to account for his actions. Our first thought when discrimination occurs is always with the victim, and we applaud the courage of the victim in this case for coming forward.


"In this situation, as in all incidents of discriminatory abuse, there can be no winners and we hope that the perpetrator has learnt from this incident to ensure it is never repeated. Education plays an essential role in shifting attitudes and it is encouraging to see The FA include one to one education as part of the sanction. We know from our own work in this space the impact that this can have in changing mindsets. We would encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses abuse to report it to us at Kick It Out."

However, Luthra's father, Dr Sunny Luthra, was disappointed by the organisation's lack of contact since the incident. Writing on X: Box ticking exercise. Well done. This is a sarcastic comment if you haven't already figured it out." He added: "It's the lack of contact from @kickitout which I'm alluding to. Pointless response to a situation they actually exist for."

Dr Luthra then told Sky Sports: "Racism is unacceptable in any form, anywhere, especially in football. Hopefully, the player learns from this and I hope it acts as a deterrent for this type of unacceptable behaviour."