Sophie Jones 'quits football' after Sheffield United terminate contract following racial abuse suspension

The former Sheffield United forward Sophie Jones has accused the Football Association of presiding over a “kangaroo court” and is quitting football because “I am unable to continue with football and play under an organisation that I do not have any confidence in”, after an Independent Regulatory Commission found her guilty of racially abusing Tottenham Hostpur’s Renee Hector.

Jones was suspended for five matches with immediate effect, fined £200 and ordered to attend a Football Association education course. Following the verdict, Sheffield United said the player’s contract would be terminated by mutual agreement.

Jones had denied the charge of “aggravated breach” of FA Rule E3(1) – using “abusive and/or insulting” language that includes “reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race” – towards an opponent during the Blades’ FA Women’s Championship fixture against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on Jan 6, and still maintains her innocence.

Hector, 23, alleged that she was subjected to monkey noises during her side’s 2-1 away win over Sheffield United, tweeting: “Such a shame that racism seems to be rising up again in football – I received some monkey noises today from an opposition player.”

Hector said in a statement today: “There is no place for racism in our game. A zero tolerance policy is imperative in stamping out this 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.

“I want to now concentrate on the last five games of the Women’s Championship and trying to secure promotion with Spurs.”

Tottenham Hostpur Ladies said: “We welcome the decision made by the FA and that the appropriate action has been taken. There is no place for any sort of discriminatory language or behaviour in football.”

Yet Jones retaliated in a statement of her own in which she extensively criticised the hearing, claiming key evidence was ignored.

She said: “I am struggling to come to terms with this decision and how the FA can come to a verdict based on probability from the two witness accounts verbally given, instead of reviewing the case and the evidence, in its entirety, based on the Sport Law and Practice Second Edition stating ‘the more serious the allegation the greater degree of satisfaction required.’.”

Jones claims the FA independent panel reached their verdict despite receiving more than ten witness statements “including Tottenham Hotspur players, also all the match officials all confirming they did not hear racial abuse”.

Jones also alleges that video evidence was disregarded by the panel and an audio transcript of the incident came back clear after review. She added that two witness statements from Spurs players contradicted each other and that “my barrister was constantly being shut down by the independent panel when trying to discredit the two witness statements. In short, he wasn’t allowed to do his job.”

She continued: “The hearing took place in a kangaroo court. It is with a heavy heart that I feel I am unable to continue with football and play under an organisation that I do not have any confidence in.”

Jones, who began her career with hometown team Liverpool before joining Sheffield United last year following spells with Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield FC, was charged in February.

An FA Spokesperson said: "The case against Sophie Jones was heard by an Independent Regulatory Commission comprising two independent lawyers and a former football player and manager.

"The written reasons in the case will be published in due course, which will provide a detailed account of the evidence given and the findings of the commission. The FA continues to treat all allegations of discrimination seriously and encourages any players who believe they have been the subject of, or witness to, discriminatory abuse to report this through the appropriate channels."

A Sheffield United spokesperson said after the verdict: “Jones maintains her innocence and is disappointed with the FA’s decision.

“The club works closely with the English Football League, 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. Sheffield United will not comment further on this matter.”