SOUTHAMPTON defender Jack Stephens has been handed a hefty fine and a two-match ban for an X-rated rant during last month’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.
The 30-year-old was sent off for a knee-high challenge on Alejandro Garnacho late in the match.
He was left furious as a result and made his feelings clear with referee Stuart Atwell.
As reported by The Mail, he said to assistant Gavin Ward: “You f***ing little ****”, before he later added: “You’re a ****”.
It prompted Ward to file an extraordinary incident report at full-time.
Having assessed the report, the FA has now decided to charge Stephens with misconduct.
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A statement read: “Jack Stephens has been given a two-match suspension and £50,000 fine for misconduct during Southampton’s Premier League match on Saturday 14 September against Manchester United.
“The defender admitted that he used abusive and insulting words towards both the match referee and fourth official around the 79th minute after he had been sent off.”
Stephens requested a personal hearing to oversee his case.
He also admitted to using abusive and insulting language towards the match officials after being sent off.
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The defender said: “I am well aware that what I said was completely unacceptable and below the standard of conduct expected of me.
“I am very embarrassed by my behaviour and want to apologise sincerely for it… I know the importance of accepting a referee’s decision.
“Instead, I spoke to him saying something that I would not normally say. I then used that language again to Mr Ward.
“This is not an excuse, but it was in the heat of the moment… I sincerely apologise to Mr Atwell and Mr Ward.”
Stephens will now be unavailable for upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Leicester City.
The Southampton star has already served a three-match ban for the initial red card.
He missed games against Ipswich Town, Everton and Bournemouth.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
