FA charges Ravel Morrison on anti-gay tweet
New West Ham player Ravel Morrison has been charged by the FA after a tweet appearing on his account earlier this month included a gay slur.
The teenage midfielder was signed to the club on 31 January for three and a half years but is yet to make an appearance on the pitch after the violently-worded message.
The message on 19-year-old Morrison’s account reportedly read: “Crack head? Go suck out u little faggot your a guy that talks if u see me you try slap me I’m in manchester every week.”
He is alleged to have been responding to a racist tweet directed at him which said he was addicted to crack.
The FA said: “West Ham United’s Ravel Morrison has been charged under FA Rule E3 for use of abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person’s sexual orientation.
“Morrison has until 4pm on 17 February 2012 to respond to the charge.”
In early 2011, Morrison was ordered to pay £1,445 in costs and compensation after admitting two counts of witness intimidation.
The tweet came during national LGBT History Month which is focused on tackling homophobia in sport.
Last month, Leicester City player Michael Ball was fined £6,000 by the FA for anti-gay comments he made on Twitter.
Ball, 32, admitted the charge of bringing the game into disrepute with his expletive-peppered tweet directed at actor Antony Cotton.
During Cotton’s appearance on I’m A Celebrity, Ball reportedly told followers: “That fucking queer. Get back to your sewing machine in Corrie, you moaning bastard.”
Also this year, Oxford City FC released Lee Steele from his obligations to the club after the footballer posted a comment on Twitter about gay rugby star Gareth Thomas.
Steele, 38, was not seen at a match on Saturday after writing: “I wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlockeda**ehole”.
