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FA ban John Yems for 18 months after serious allegations during his time at Crawley

The FA have decided to ban manager John Yems for 18 months after serious allegations emerged during his time at Crawley Town in recent years.

It was late on Friday that confirmation came through of the punishment, and it’s been found that he used racist language against his own players.

The 63-year-old has been found guilty of 12 charges of using discriminatory language whilst in charge of the League Two outfit for the 2021/22 season, with the Football Association handing out the longest ban they have ever handed out for racist abuse.

Sportsmail first reported last April that half-a-dozen Crawley players had complained to the PFA about Yems’ allegedly racist language.

This led to him being immediately suspending by the club and departure the following month, and the FA launching an investigation into the matter.

A group of seven Crawley players alleged that he would often used the n-word during training and called players from ethnic minority backgrounds abusive names such as ‘suicide bomber, curry puncher and Zulu warrior’.

A different charge that he discriminated against players on the basis of their race by forcing black members of his squad to change in a separate dressing-room at the club’s training ground was denied by John Yems, and was subsequently withdrawn by the FA.

CRAWLEY STATEMENT:

Crawley Town Football Club have released the following statement in response to the Football Association taking disciplinary action against former manager John Yems for 12 breaches of FA Rule E3.2:

“We would like to thank the Football Association for its thorough investigation into these serious allegations and the independent Regulatory Commission for its thoughtful consideration and ruling on the findings. As we have said many times, Crawley Town Football Club will never tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind. We remain eager to partner with our players, staff and supporters as we build a team and community that Red Devils fans can be proud of — both on and off the pitch.”

FA STATEMENT:

An independent Regulatory Commission has suspended John Yems from all football and football-related activity up to and including 1 June 2024, and ordered him to attend an education programme for 12 breaches of FA Rule E3.2.

The former manager of Crawley Town FC was charged with 16 alleged comments in breach of FA Rule E3.2 during the period between 2019 and 2022. It was alleged that each breach amounts to an “aggravated breach” of FA Rule E3.2 as the comments included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief and/or gender.

It was further alleged that he had discriminated against Crawley Town FC players by reasons of ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief in breach of FA Rule E4 during the period between 2019 and 2022. However, this charge was denied by John Yems and later withdrawn by The FA prior to any hearing.

Jon Yems admitted one of the remaining 16 charges and denied 15. An independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found 11 of them to be proven and four unproven during a hearing. The Commission also imposed his sanctions, and its written reasons for these decisions will be published at the earliest opportunity.

Yems’ suspension was welcomed by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and the union’s senior equalities executive Jason Lee praised the brave players who reported their manager especially with it a serious matter.

‘It takes bravery to come forward to report issues like this,’ Lee said. ‘When players make that decision they are likely to have given it a lot of thought. What will it mean for my future at the club?

‘Will it impact my career if I say something? It’s a massive thing for an individual to do, and that’s why it’s so vital that players have the confidence they will be believed, listened to and supported.’

This is what fans said as the FA ban John Yems for 18 months after serious allegations made during his time at Crawley…

@PinophytaEd: Great, kick racism out of football for only 15 months, that’ll teach coaches who use the N word, make black players use separate changing rooms and call muslim players ‘terrorist’. Should be a lifetime ban from all football activity.

@KsaHull: 18 months, he segregated changing rooms, and used countless racial slurs. Ban for life is needed

@ChrisNgaruthi: That’s all for being a racist C-word? That’s all?

@stfcinbmth: Real deterrent that. Congratulations

@Ryann_BRFC_95: An 18 month ban, pitiful. If supporters are getting FBO’s and criminal records for these offences (even when it’s a “one off”), something of a similar nature needs to be applied here to protect those affected. He’s lucky not to be prosecuted because the FA are fucking incompetent

@RedReveal: Should be banned for life. I guess we have got to just hope no football club ever appoints him in any position, ever. Well done @FA.

@Denton_james: 18 months for racism, superb example set. Terrible precedent

@sigs8: 12 breaches of discrimination rules, including SEGREGATED CHANGING ROOMS, resulting in a 15 MONTH ban. Fucking disgraceful.

@SimsCherryTA: I’m fairly certain he won’t work in football again because who the hell would employ him? But 15 month is so weak considering there are 12 breaches of discrimination. Awful verdict

@RefereeSouth: The kick it out campaign is strong

@PopeFrano: Disgraceful behaviour. Hopefully AFCB have reviewed our house and ensured all is in order from his time as first team football operations manager before being made redundant…

@blake2108: Kick It Out… but only for a little bit

@joalhe1997: Perhaps the only good thing WAGMI did was getting rid of him as quickly as possible. Always came across as a massive bully in interviews so when the allegations came out, took my by absolutely no surprise. Grim man

@OliMGraham: 15 months? What a farce

@TransWealthy1: This is why I don’t and never will respect this joke of an FA, he had players changing in separate changing rooms. He’s not supposed to be in football again

@jaisra02: Crawley fans can stop begging for him back now. My comments back when it happened were always met by “he’s innocent”, guess everyone will go into hiding now 🥴

@ThomasFrances87: Too short a punishment in my opinion.

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