Full shocking details of Jack Simpson's racist slur towards a Cardiff City team-mate have emerged after the axed player was banned for six matches and fined £8,000.
Simpson's punishment was announced on Thursday evening after he called then Cardiff team-mate Rohan Luthra a "dirty P**i" during the club's pre-season tour of Portugal in July. Supporting documents in the case reveal team-mates Rubin Colwill and Keiron Evans were present when the comment was made, with both left shocked by what happened as they told Simpson "you can't say that".
Players had been given permission to enjoy "a few drinks" after a match against Porto FC, heading into Villamoura town. The official hearing documents state "having consumed high levels of alcohol", Simpson returned to his room around 3am-4am. He got up and went down for breakfast around 6am - 6:30am.
Luthra, a 21-year-old goalkeeper, approached the table where Simpson, Evans and Colwill were sat before the defender said to him: “Oh yeah, and you, you’re a dirty P**i.” The comment was described as "inexplicable". There had been no conflict or animosity between the two during or prior to the trip.
A hurt and angered Luthra got up and left the table, later refusing to speak to Simpson and telling him he was a racist. The report adds: "The team headed to the airport shortly after. KE (Evans) reported that when at the airport he was stood behind JS (Simpson) in a queue at a coffee shop and they spoke about the incident. JS said words to the effect of, 'I’m so stupid. I don’t know why I said that. My girlfriend is from that country as well'. According to KE, JS was clearly disappointed with himself and said he was going to speak with RL and apologise."
Luthra initially did not report the comment but decided to a week or so later after an FA presentation at the club telling players of the need to report discrimination in the game. He reported what happened to Bluebirds officials, who then acted quickly to escalate the issue. Simpson's contract at the club was terminated "by mutual consent" on August 31 and he remains a free agent.
Simpson claimed he could not remember making the comment due to his intoxication, the report says, but admitted the charge and sent several apologies to Luthra, who is currently on loan at Slough.
A statement from the FA reads: "An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a six-match suspension, £8,000 fine and face-to-face education upon Jack Simpson for misconduct on Cardiff City’s pre-season tour to Portugal in July 2023.
"It was alleged the defender used language towards a team-mate that was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper contrary to FA Rule E3.1. It was further alleged that that this language constitutes an 'aggravated breach', which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to race and/or colour.
"Jack Simpson admitted the charge against him, and his sanctions were imposed following a hearing."
