Sheffield United FC Women’s player Sophie Jones has been charged with alleged racist abuse during a match against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on Jan. 6.
After the match, Tottenham player Renee Hector suggested an opposition player had aimed monkey noises at her.
“Sheffield United FC Women’s player Sophie Jones has today been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3,” an FA Spokesperson wrote on Twitter. “It is alleged that words she used during an FA Women’s Championship fixture against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on Jan. 6 2019 breached Rule E3[1] as they were abusive and/or insulting.
“It is further alleged that the words constituted an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in Rule E3[2], as they included reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.
“Jones has until Feb. 15 2019 to respond to the charge.”
Hector tweeted after the two sides met on Jan. 6: “Such a shame that racism seems to be rising up again in football — I received some monkey noises today from an opposition player.
“The only reaction was to let the football do the talking and that we did great start to the year!”
Tottenham sit top of the women’s second tier with 11 wins out of 13, while Sheffield United are eighth.