Footballer fined £1,200 for “fully homophobic” tweet
A football player has been fined by The Football Association over a homophobic comment which appeared on his Twitter account.
Hope Akpan was fined £1,200 after admitting the FA misconduct charge.
A message from the Crawley Town FC midfielder’s account last month said: “Gays all over the tele what’s wrong with Britain! Sorry I’m #FullyHomophobic.”
The 20-year-old said someone in his family posted the comment without his knowledge. It was subsequently deleted.
He admitted the charge of “acting in a manner which was improper and/or bringing the game into disrepute” but denies sending the tweet himself.
Mr Akpan said: “This is a very harsh lesson for me but given the circumstances I had no option but to plead guilty.
“It is clear that the person I thought would stand up for his actions did not and it has come with a heavy price to myself.
“In relation to what was reported on my Twitter account I can only once again apologise. I did not write those words and they are certainly not my views.”
Manager Steve Evans said: “I really feel sorry for young Hope. Another person should be ashamed of themselves and all they have done is create a difficult situation for the most honest and genuine lad anyone could wish to meet.
“The Football Association have acted and the matter is now closed. The young man can now get on with his football. I know he was deeply upset by it but, as I told him, he must learn from this.”
Mr Evans said the club does not “for one minute believe that he made that inappropriate comment.”
