Just read both documents. It seems clear that the FA were the ones pushing to have him punished under current, (2021) guidelines as a minimum:
Where an Aggravated Breach of Rule E3.1 is committed in youth football by a Player aged 12-15 (inclusive), a Regulatory Commission shall
impose a suspension of at least 6 Matches on that Player. The Regulatory Commission may increase the suspension where aggravating factors are present. A minimum of 1 Match shall come into effect immediately, however the Regulatory Commission may suspend such number of the remaining Matches on terms and for such period as it considers appropriate.”
As he was part of the Arsenal academy at the time he wrote the tweet, they argued he should be sanctioned.
Thankfully the Commission saw sense and it was agreed that he falls under the then (2012) guidelines. They also agreed that it made no sense in publishing the content of the tweet, (again, common sense prevails):
“In the event of any breach of Rule E 3(1) including a reference to any one or more of a person’s ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation, or disability (an “aggravating factor”), a Regulatory Commission shall consider the imposition of an increased sanction, taking into account the following entry points:
For a first offence, a sanction that is double that which the Regulatory Commission would have applied had the aggravating factor not been present.
These entry points are intended to guide the Regulatory Commission and are not mandatory.
The Regulatory Commission shall have the discretion to impose a sanction greater or less than the entry point, according to the aggravating or mitigating factors present in each case”
Looks like he had good representation from MFC; and the Commission have taken the view that he should not be treated as a bad lad. Glad there are some sensible people out there.
www.thefa.com
