What did Bowen tweet?
In October 2012, the West Ham United winger tweeted: “That one friend that thinks their black #*****Please (sic)” .
Why has the FA made this decision?
The FA undertook a comprehensive investigation and considered the fact that the tweet was from eight years ago and that Bowen was 15 at the time of publication.
He was also not registered as a participant in football or playing affiliated football.
Bowen was also not subject to their jurisdiction at that time or regularly receiving anti-discrimination education.
They also see education courses as key to their new guidelines for discrimination.
How did Bowen and West Ham respond at the time?
Bowen said: “In 2012, when I was a 15-year-old kid, I posted an offensive and immature tweet.
“I wish to apologise unreservedly for the unacceptable content of that post, especially to all connected with West Ham United. This is not an example I wish to set and it certainly does not portray the values and principles that I hold.”
A West Ham United spokesperson added: “Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of West Ham United, and our zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination is embedded across the club.
“The club takes matters of this nature extremely seriously. In regard to the tweet from 2012, we have spoken to Jarrod and he is aware of the club’s unequivocal stance in this area.
“He fully understands the requirements and responsibility upon him to always act in line with the club’s values. This will be dealt with internally.”
Does this differ to previous FA responses?
Yes. Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury was fined £5,000 in 2019 and ordered to attend an education course by the FA for “hurtful and offensive” comments he posted on social media.
In 2013, he wrote: “Why are black people so fast. Because the slow ones are in prison.” And in July 2013, commenting on a woman’s football match, he tweeted: “That has to be the worst advert sums up women’s football to be honest.”
Choudhury issued a statement apologising for the tweets: “They do not represent my true beliefs. I am deeply sorry to anyone I have offended – both at the time and since they have been recirculated.”
In September 2016, Watford striker Andre Gray was handed a four-match ban for bringing the game into disrepute over homophobic posts he made on Twitter in 2012.
Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Gray was also fined £25,000, warned as to his future conduct and ordered to attend an FA education course.
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani was handed a three-match ban from the FA for using a racist term in a social media post in December.
Following Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Southampton, Cavani posted a social media message on Instagram, replying to a message of congratulations using the Spanish phrase “Gracias negrito”. The phrase loosely translates to “thanks little black boy”.
(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
