English FA fine duo for homophobic tweets

Newcastle forward Nile Ranger and Walsall’s Manny Smith have been fined STG6000 ($A8950) and STG1200 respectively and warned about their future conduct after admitting making homophobic comments on Twitter.

The pair were charged by the Football Association on Monday along with Manchester United striker Federico Macheda.

All three were accused of acting in a way that was “improper and/or brought the game into disrepute”, including “a reference to a person’s or persons’ sexual orientation”.

An FA statement on Thursday read: “Newcastle United’s Nile Ranger and Walsall’s Manny Smith have been fined STG6000 and STG1200 respectively and both warned as to their future conduct after each admitting a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words including a reference to a person’s sexual orientation.

“The charges relate to Twitter comments and both players requested a paper hearing.”

No details of the case involving Macheda, on loan at QPR, were confirmed.

West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison was last week fined STG7000 by the FA in response to a homophobic remark made on Twitter.

Morrison, who completed an undisclosed switch to Upton Park from Manchester United at the end of January, is reported to have made the comment in response to another Twitter user.

The 19-year-old was also warned as to his future conduct by the FA.

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