Sophie Jones leaves Sheffield United Women after forward found guilty of racist abuse

Sophie Jones has left Sheffield United Women after being found guilty of racial abuse.

Jones was reported by Renee Hector after the Tottenham player “received some monkey noises from an opposition player.”

She was subsequently found guilty by the FA and handed a five-match ban for the offence, as well as a £200 fine.

Jones, however, is said to ‘maintain her innocence’ and expressed ‘disappointment’ at the decision.

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A club statement read: “The club works closely with the EFL, the FA and Kick it Out and would like to reiterate that it does not condone racism or any form of discrimination.

“Following dialogue between the club and Jones, and taking into account the length of the suspension, it has been decided that her contract, which was due for review in the summer, will be terminated by mutual agreement.”

Hector said she welcomed the FA’s verdict.

She said in a statement on Twitter: “There is no place for racism in our game. A zero tolerance policy is imperative in stamping this out from football therefore I welcome this verdict. No one should be subjected to racist abuse on or off the pitch and I felt a responsibility to call it out for what it was.”

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After the game in January, Hector had taken to Twitter to say: “Such a shame that racism seems to be rising up again in football – I received some monkey noises from an opposition player.

“The only reaction was to let the football do the talking and that we did great start to the year!”

The Football Association also ordered the forward to attend an FA education course.

An FA statement read: “Sophie Jones has been given a five-match suspension with immediate effect after an ‘Aggravated Breach’ of FA Rule E3(1) was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission.

“The Sheffield United FC Women’s player denied a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words – that included reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race – towards an opponent during an FA Women’s Championship fixture against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on 06 January 2019.

“The forward was also fined £200 and ordered to attend an FA education course.”

Anti-discrimination campaigners Kick It Out welcomed the FA’s decision.

A statement read: “Verdicts like this underline the importance of calling out discrimination wherever it is heard – in the women’s or men’s game and at any level.

“We stand with Renee Hector and her teammates and hope others who may face a similar situation will be empowered to follow their lead.”