Burnley striker Andre Gray has received a four-match ban with immediate effect and a £25,000 fine following comments made on social media.
The 25-year-old was hit with a charge from the Football Association last month when tweets of a homophobic nature, which Gray posted four years ago, cropped up on the Englishman's social media account.
The likes of Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand and Robert Huth have previously incurred fines or bans for comments made on social media, and Gray has now joined that list after an FA hearing into the misconduct charges.
According to a statement on the FA's official website, six of Gray's Twitter postings "were abusive and/or insulating and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to Rule E3(1). It was further alleged that the breaches included a reference to sexual orientation and/or gender and/or colour and/or race contrary to Rule E3(2)."
In a statement on their official website, Burnley have revealed that they have 'accepted' the decision: "Burnley Football Club and Gray accept the Independent Regulatory Commission's decision, which relate to historical posts made before Andre joined the club in August, 2015. Gray himself regrets the posts and has pledged, in an apology, to continue to improve, both as a person and role model to others."
The suspension means that Gray, who has also been ordered to attend an FA education course, will miss Monday's Premier League game against Watford at Turf Moor, in addition to the fixtures against Arsenal, Everton and Southampton.
Matt Law
