The issues of mental health and homosexuality in professional football are two of the biggest taboo subjects left. Along with the ugly head of racism that is starting to rear up once again it is the type of issue that the FA is desperately trying to address to try and clear up the game in light of recent events.
One player who has been punished along that spectrum is Liverpool youngster Suso who has been fined £10k and warned over his future conduct for acting in ‘a way that was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute’ as his comment on Twitter toward team-mate Jose Enrique included ‘a reference to a person’s sexual orientation and/or disability’.
The Tweet in question was directed at Liverpool team-mate Jose Enrique; a fellow Spaniard who is close with the young winger in relation to him getting his teeth whitened.
‘What f**k is he doing?...This guy is gay. He has some mentals problems. He does everything except play football.’
Without pointing out the obvious language barriers that may have played a part in Suso’s unintended offence creation when you look at the bigger picture the realisation does hit you that this was as Enrique put it himself ‘banter’ between team-mates and friends on Twitter. It was not intended to harm anyone or directed with any vitriol but rather light-heartedly toward a good friend.
Some people may have been offended and that is unfortunate but to level out a fine seems a little harsh when a simple written warning or a slap on the wrist from Liverpool FC, at the behest of the FA, could have been a better option.
Whether this public example making was necessary is certainly up for debate.
The fans on Twitter certainly have made their voices heard; here is what they had to say…
The FA are actually a joke! Fining Suso for calling Enrique 'gay'. What is the world coming too. Maybe it is gonna end...
— Ben Rands (@randez) December 18, 2012
Suso called enrique a 'gay' and FA fined him 10,000 euros? WTH is this?!?!?!
— PrEm FranCis (@IamPremFrancis) December 18, 2012
So are the FA implying that being 'gay' is offensive? #Suso
— Rashaun Black (@_MrBlackGuy) December 18, 2012
Re: Suso. Glad the FA are tackling important issues in the game instead of trivial matters like accountability for unsafe stadia in 1989.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) December 18, 2012
I have just seen that Suso has been fined 10k for an offensive tweet to a team mate, the world has gone mad
— Terry McDermott (@TerryMac777) December 18, 2012
Suso has been fined £10,000 for having a joke with Enrique and calling him gay by the FA, they really need to get a sense of humour, oh my.
— Olly's troublemaker☺ (@unoriginaljen_) December 18, 2012
Zenit St Petersburg fans' group write an open letter to the club asking to sign Liverpool's Suso
— Freelance journalist (@indykaila) December 18, 2012
The term gay in itself isnt offensive but the context Suso used it in is.He used it with the intention to offend,suggesting its somehow bad.
— Johnny (@Johnny_EFC) December 18, 2012
Suso being fined 10k for calling Enrique gay? 1) that implies gay is an insult 2) its clearly a joke between them 3) the FA don't get Banter
— Caitlin Baxter (@CaitlinGeorgiaa) December 18, 2012
What was Suso fined for saying?? Only a matter of time until twitter is banned altogether for footballers!
— Mick Kelly (@Mickkelly00) December 18, 2012
Liverpool player Suso has been fined £10k for this tweet by FA. This is ridiculous. twitter.com/Footy_Jokes/st…
— Football Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) December 18, 2012
Is amazing how fa can fine my friend @suso30fernandez for a banter thing. Was just a joke!!!
— jose enrique sanchez (@jose3enrique3) December 18, 2012
Do you think the FA were harsh to fine Suso or justified in their decision?
image: © faisalzaman




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