Sophie Jones Sacked by Sheffield United

Sheffield United have sacked their women’s forward Sophie Jones after she was given a five match ban for racism.

The club issued a statement yesterday regarding the decision from an FA disciplinary hearing for an incident in January.

In an FA Women’s Championship fixture on the 6th January against Tottenham Hotspur, Spurs defender Renee Hector said that she had “received some monkey noises from an opposition player.”

Jones was found guilty of the charge at the hearing which was held on March 19th and received a five-match ban, a fine of £200 and was asked to attend an FA Inclusion and Diversity Workshop.

United took the decision to terminate the 27-year-old’s contract after talks with the player, taking into consideration the length of the suspension and that her contract was due to be reviewed in the summer.

Sheffield United also said in their statement that they work closely with the FA and Kick it Out and reinforced that “it does not condone racism or any form of discrimination.”

Jones has since announced her retirement from football and maintains that she is innocent, despite the verdict given against her.

In a statement posted to social media, Jones says that she cannot continue to play for an organisation that she no longer has confidence in.

Jones also described her hearing as taking place in a ‘Kangaroo Court’ and said any evidence given in her defence were completely ignored.

Jones also alleges that her lawyer was not allowed to do his job and that they were constantly being “shut down” by the panel.