Footballer banned from matches over Homophobic Post he made 8 years ago

Peterborough striker Jonson Clarke-Harris has been banned for four games over historic social media posts made 8 years ago, featuring homophobic comments.

He was 18 years of age at the time the posts were made. The posts date from late 2012 and early 2013, was he made reference to sexual orientation.

Clarke-Harris was charged by the FA in August over six counts of breaching FA Rule E3.1 and E3.2, in relation to posts made between October 27, 2012, and March 6, 2013. He has also been fined more than £5,000, the Football Association has announced.

A statement on the FA Spokesperson Twitter account read: ‘Peterborough United FC’s Jonson Clarke-Harris has been suspended for four matches, fined £5,300 and is required to complete a face-to-face education programme after admitting six breaches of FA Rule E3 in relation to social media comments posted between 27 October 2012 and 6 March 2013.

‘The comments were insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.

‘The comments also constitute an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as they included reference to sexual orientation.

‘An independent regulatory commission was subsequently convened and imposed the above sanction during a paper hearing. Their written reasons will be published in due course.’

Clarke-Harris will miss the Championship games against Coventry, Bournemouth, Bristol City and Middlesbrough as a result.