By OkayGoal 
Manchester United’s Jack Fletcher has said he is “truly sorry” and acted “in the heat of the moment” over a homophobic slur that has earned the midfielder a six-match ban.
Fletcher, who made his senior United debut in their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on December 21, received a red card during a 5-2 EFL Trophy defeat at Barnsley on October 21.
The Football Association (FA) have confirmed that the 18-year-old 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, adding that a “momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values”.
“I completely understand such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game.”
Jack Fletcher: What happened against Barnsley?
In its written reasons, the FA said referee Will Davis had heard Fletcher clearly shout “you’re a gay boy” at the opposition player in a “raised and aggressive tone”.
Fletcher said he had been subjected to two separate off-the-ball fouls by the player, including being thrown to the ground in the build-up to a goal and, shortly afterwards, being stamped on his Achilles heel while the ball was not in play, raising the latter incident with Davis and attempting to remain calm.
Following Barnsley’s third goal, Fletcher said the player walked past him rather than celebrating with his teammates and directed comments towards him concerning his twin brother, Tyler – who was also playing for United – and his father, Darren, who has represented the club as a player and coach.
England Under-19 international Fletcher admitted the charge at the earliest opportunity and said the remark was not malicious but framed as a question prompted by his perception that the player knew a significant amount about him and his family.
His opponent told the FA investigation that he did not believe the remark had been deliberately intended to be homophobic, but rather was an insult “using words that came into his head in the moment”.
Jack Fletcher: Man United to ‘strengthen’ player’s ‘understanding’
Fletcher has been fined £1,500 and will remain suspended should he not complete a mandatory face-to-face education programme.
United have carried out work with Fletcher to “strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and why it is harmful” and will continue his work with club diversity programmes.
In a statement, United added that Fletcher has served three of the four non-first team matches in the suspension ruling.
Manchester United: Rainbow Devils respond to Fletcher apology
Official Manchester United LGBTQ+ Supporters Club the Rainbow Devils welcomed the statement. “Homophobic language has no place in football or society, regardless of intention or connotation,” they said.
“Words matter and words hurt. Football must be for everyone to feel safe and included. Education, meaningful consequences and a genuine commitment to learning from mistakes are key to ensuring incidents like this become an opportunity for growth and change.
“Parents, teachers, football clubs and all of us have a responsibility to young people to teach them right and wrong in regards to all forms of discrimination.
“We hope Jack learns from this and grows as a person and a player. His immediate regret and guilty plea
suggests that he will.”