Southampton’s Jack Stephens handed two-match ban and £50,000 fine for shocking X-rated rant at officials after Man Utd red card

Stephens was shown red by referee Stuart Attwell for a foul on Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho in the 79th minute of the game at St. Mary’s Stadium, last month. Following his dismissal, the defender admitted during an FA regulatory commission hearing to using inappropriate language directed towards Attwell and fourth official Gavin Ward.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Stephens called Ward a “f*cking little c***” and then referred to him as a “c***” once more when he was making his way down the tunnel, per The Athletic. Attwell also testified that he too was the subject of the same derogatory language from Stephens immediately after showing the red card.

  • WHAT STEPHENS SAID

    In the commission, Stephens expressed deep regret for his actions and issued a formal apology. He described the language he used as “out of character” and expressed remorse for the emotional response to the situation.

    “I bitterly regret my choice of language. The language I used is out of character for me,” he said.

    During the hearing, he told the commission: “When the decision was confirmed I was upset. I did something that I am very disappointed with myself for. I know the importance of accepting a referee’s decision but 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 and I was not aggressive towards either of the officials and did not argue with them and left the pitch, returning only to pass on the captain’s armband.”

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    WHAT NEXT FOR STEPHENS?

    Stephens has already served part of his punishment, having missed Southampton’s Carabao Cup tie against Everton, as well as league fixtures against Ipswich Town and Bournemouth. The three-match suspension for the red card, handed down due to the serious foul play against Garnacho, will now be extended by an additional two games as a result of his outburst towards the officials.

    As a consequence, the 30-year-old defender will be unavailable for Southampton’s upcoming Premier League fixtures, which include a challenging away match against Arsenal on October 5, followed by a home game against Leicester City on October 19.