The Morecambe midfielder Yann Songo’o has been suspended for six matches after using a homophobic slur in a match and apologised for his actions, asking for forgiveness.
Songo’o was sent off during Morecambe’s League Two fixture against Tranmere in January for using foul and abusive language, apparently directed at one of Tranmere’s players. He was charged with improper conduct by the FA with a further aggravated breach of the rules because the language included “a reference to sexual orientation”.
Songo’o admitted the charge and after a hearing by an independent regulatory commission he was given the minimum suspension of six matches. Songo’o must also undergo face-to-face anti-discrimination education.
The commission decided that two matches of the ban had been served, meaning Songo’o will be unavailable for Morecambe’s next four games.
Songo’o said on the club website: “I’d like to offer a sincere apology for any offence I’ve caused. I’m really disappointed in myself for using that term, because it does not reflect the type of person I am but it was under provocation.
“I’m totally against any form of discrimination and I know what I said was totally unacceptable, I can only apologise and ask for forgiveness to anyone I offended.”
Morecambe said the club “fully accepts the findings of the FA hearing” and reiterated their opposition to any sort of abuse. “We are a community-based family club that has high expectations of its players and staff and Yann’s behaviour fell short of those expectations in this instance,” they said.
After the incident, which was called out on the field by Tranmere’s players, the Tranmere LGBT+ fans group Rover and Out said it was “proud of their players’ response in immediately recognising this language as unacceptable”.
In a statement, Rover and Out said: “Many people still use homophobic terms … without thinking that what they are saying has an impact on those around them and without realising that what they are saying or, in fact, hearing, is homophobic.”
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