Bolton player Dion Charles apologises for ‘deeply offensive’ posts

Bolton Wanderers player Dion Charles apologises for ‘deeply offensive’ posts that was published onto his social media a few years ago.

The 26 year old, issued an apology on his Twitter account, while the Trotters also added a statement condemning the posts that got everyone talking.

The League One club statement said it did not “condone any forms of discrimination,” and called the content “unacceptable”.

Dion’s statement read:

“First of all, I want to say how sorry I am for the hurt I have caused to those who have read my tweets.

“I particularly want to apologise to the LGBTQ+ and Muslim communities for the offensive words I used.

“There is no place in football or society as a whole for discriminatory and hateful views and I want to make it clear that I have grown up considerably since I posted those tweets many years ago. I am not racist and I am not homophobic.

“I know that Bolton Wanderers Football Club works hard to promote inclusion and kick out hatred and I completely support this.

“I will do everything while I am representing this club to help make football a game for everyone.

“Once again, I wish to reiterate how sorry I am for the offence and embarrassment my actions may have caused.”

Bolton Wanderers Chairman Sharon Brittan has issued the following statement regarding Dion Charles:

“I am aware that some tweets which Dion Charles posted several years ago contained discriminatory and deeply offensive words.

“Myself and Bolton Wanderers Football Club do not condone any forms of discrimination whatsoever and, quite simply, there is no place for it in football or society in general.

“What was said in those posts was completely unacceptable and I am pleased that Dion has taken full responsibility for his actions and unreservedly apologised for the hurt and embarrassment caused.

“Whilst not making any excuses for him, I have spoken with Dion and he has acknowledged that he has grown up considerably since he posted those comments and that he is not racist or homophobic.

“Through Bolton Wanderers in the Community, the Club seeks to be at the forefront of making our game inclusive for everybody and Dion fully supports this.

“My own faith is incredibly important to me and, amongst many other things, it has also taught me to offer forgiveness.

“I know that Dion will learn a very valuable lesson from this and the football club will offer any support he needs going forward.”

Manager Ian Evatt added: “I was very disappointed to hear about the tweets that Dion posted several years ago and I am pleased that he offered an immediate apology for the offence caused.

“I know that Dion wants to do his best whilst representing Bolton Wanderers and that means off the field as well as on it.

“He fully understands the magnitude of his actions and will do everything he can to support the Club in making football a game that welcomes everybody.”

Twitter users reacted as the Bolton player Dion Charles apologises for ‘deeply offensive’ posts…

@n_turn83: Fuckin hell, just seen the Dion Charles beef. What the fuck was he thinking 🤦🏻‍♂️ Could be looking at a month long ban there. What a fuckin idiot coming out with stuff like that

@BWFC_Sam: This was the right way of dealing with it, my club

@maffoo12: It’s good that he’s apologised and shown contrition. Most of us are not the same people we were as teenagers. However I take issue with the word allegedly. There’s nothing alleged about them, the racism and homophobia in them are clear.

@bigkie17: Feel sorry for him we all make mistakes at a young age the past is past put it behind us and move one his apologies and understand that his done wrong now we leave it and get behind him head up @Dion_charles

@Rachelrocket74: He was 16/17 years old, if everyone was held to account for what they did at that age we’d all be making alot of apologies. I am not condoning what he’s said, it’s time to move on. I feel someone has had this up their sleeve for when he finally moved on from Accrington.

@bwfcarchie: Came to a new club excited to make an impact all for it to be ridiculed like this after tweets from 10 years ago. Poor guy, Keep going @Dion_charles

@damonbwfc: The club has said the right thing and has dealt with it correctly so far. I’m genuinely interested to learn what kind of education young footballers receive about bigotry and things like that. More needs to be done and that seems to be across the sport. #bwfc

@OldFatandGrey: Fuck me, we don’t half pick them don’t we! #bwfc

@GazBWFC58: He will be the same as any teenager and young adult of that age who used words like “gay” to describe things without understanding the concept of them… most have done it, grown up and learnt

@lennyhem_: Would much rather the FA go down some sort of educational route rather than a ban. If you’re gonna do all this retrospective action at least try and educate people #bwfc

@Bwfc12341: Maybe I can’t comment, as none of the offensive words are relevant to me. But I feel this is enough, he’s taken accountability, apologised and Has matured. We can move on now, hopefully.

@SkhTrains: Issue is dealt with, the lad will be mortified and the club should be praised for dealing with this very quickly. #bwfc

@brendanBWFC: The right thing done by the club, I still expect action from the EFL but the club has moved swiftly to address it which is good #bwfc

Fairs mate pic.twitter.com/StnpHbZZD4

— Jarvo 🇸🇱 (@Jarvo297) January 4, 2022