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Unregistered player lands Dover & District Football League side Betteshanger Welfare in trouble with the Football Association

Betteshanger Welfare Football Club have been fined by the Football Association after an unregistered player was sent off for a homophobic slur.

The club admitted that in order to field a team for the Dover & District Football League match their acting manager turned to a player who wasn't registered and when he was sent off a false name was given.

The wrong player was originally identified as making a homophobic comment
The wrong player was originally identified as making a homophobic comment

Thomas Amber refereed the match and provided evidence, which included an extraordinary report, in which he stated that he sent a Betteshanger player off for making a homophobic slur towards an opponent, using the word "faggot".

Mr Amber had already cautioned the offender earlier in the match against Shepherdswell Spartans for "reckless play" and, unbeknown at the time, was given a false name by the player. That same player was sent off after making the comment.

The Kent FA received a report of an allegation of a derogatory and homophobic comment made by a player and Betteshanger were charged eight days later with a misconduct charge.

Betteshanger's club secretary informed the FA that the player named at the time of the offence wasn't present and admitted the guilty offender was not affiliated with the club and accepted the disciplinary charge at an early stage.

A name was later given to the FA commission but no player has been formally charged and Betteshanger have been issued with a £60 fine.

Club secretary Hannah Ambriz said they were fined £1,000 previously for not being able to field a team and so ended up playing an unregistered player this time around who, it is claimed, took on the identity of a player who wasn't actually present.

The secretary said: "We needed to be honest as that is our club's nature to be honest in all matters and would not condone an innocent player to take the fall for someone else's mistake."

In reference to the offence, the acting manager commented: "I saw or heard no complaints from any of the Shepherdswell players. Sam (the name later given) said to the referee his comments were not literal and were taken out of context. At the end of the game I asked the referee about the incident and he was not willing to discuss it."

The standard of proof used by the FA is the balance of probability. The club had no prior misconduct record during the previous five seasons before this incident. In addition to the fine Betteshanger were handed five disciplinary points. The decision is subject to the right of appeal.

Following the publication of the commission's findings, a statement from the committee of Betteshanger Welfare FC said: "Betteshanger Welfare FC acknowledges the incident that occurred in the Dover and District League match against Sheperdswell Spartans and have since taken action.

"We take seriously any form of discrimination at Betteshanger Welfare FC and don’t condone this type of behaviour.

"Prior to this incident the club had received no misconduct points and all our players and managers are coached to show respect and enjoy the game of football."

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