The FA have delivered their punishment for the Andre Gray homophobic tweets that have caused so much controversy in recent weeks.
Four years ago Andre Gray tweeted some absolutely abhorrent tweets suggesting that gay people should burn and die, and when these resurfaced after the Burnley striker's first Premier League goal, the English Football Association made it clear that he would be punished despite the fact that they were not recent.
The FA are making an example out of Gray by suspending him for four games and delivering a fine, sending a message that it doesn't matter when you published offensive comments, if they come into the public eye action will be taken.
Four-game ban for Andre Gray for homophobic tweets, £25k fine and ordered to attend one-to-one FA education course. #twitterclarets
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 23, 2016
Gray apologised once the tweets came back around, claiming that he is now a very different person to who he was four years ago while playing non-league football, but the FA showed no sympathy in reaching their verdict, although the severity of the punishment is seen as too lenient for some.
@henrywinter I would of lost my job
— Andrew Campbell (@andycampbell84) September 23, 2016
@henrywinter one game worse than a bad tackle, just shows how much the FA really care about homophobia...
— Ben (@BenPitchford) September 23, 2016
And on the other hand, some believe that it is ridiculous to suspend a player for comments made four years ago:
@henrywinter I'm sorry but what a load of rubbish that is. 4 yrs ago and only brought to task now he's scored against Liverpool. Farcical FA
— Andrew Wolf (@wolfie_mcfc) September 23, 2016
@henrywinter so Burnley suffer for comments he made in 2012
— JasonStubbs (@JayStubbs07) September 23, 2016
Andre Grey's comments were disgraceful and he should have been punished, not Burnley. A fine would've sufficed.
— James Redmore (@JamesRedmore) September 23, 2016
Andre Grey getting banned for four matches is laughable, for something he said 4 years ago
— Lewis Telfer. (@HungTelfer) September 23, 2016
Ridiculous decision to ban Andre grey over something that happened 4 years ago
— Jordan Taylor (@JordieT96) September 23, 2016
#Burnley striker Andre Gray banned by #FA for 4 matches for homophobic tweets in 2012. Should've been a massive fine. Burnley not at fault!
— The Grey Haired Dude (@QPR4Me) September 23, 2016
But it has been decided, and Burnley will be without Gray for the next four games against Watford, Arsenal, Southampton, and Everton.
