Sheffield United sack Sophie Jones after FA hand foward five-game ban for racist abuse

The incident occurred during a match on 6 January in the Women’s Championship, after which Hector reported hearing ‘monkey noises’ coming from an opponent

Jones was charged with racially abusing Tottenham's Renee Hector (Getty)

Sheffield United have sacked the forward Sophie Jones after the Football Association found her to have racially abused Tottenham’s Renee Hector.

The FA handed Jones a five-match suspension and a £200 fine, and ordered the 27-year-old to attend an education course.

The incident occurred during a match on 6 January in the Women’s Championship, after which Hector reported hearing “monkey noises” coming from an opponent.

“Such a shame that racism seems to be rising up again in football – I received some monkey noises today from an opposition player,” Hector tweeted.

Sheffield United said in a statement that Jones “maintains her innocence”.

“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,” Sheffield United said.

“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.”

In a statement, the FA said: “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.”

Tottenham 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.”