Why Moyes may face ban
Details
Following the release of post-interview footage between Sunderland manager David Moyes and BBC reporter Vicki Sparkes, in which he is alleged to have said ‘You still might get a slap, even though you’re a woman’, the FA has written to Mr Moyes asking for his observations. It is understood that Mr Moyes has replied and the FA will now make a decision whether to take any further action.
If Mr Moyes is charged it is likely to be under FA Rule E3(1) which requires all participants (including managers) to act in the best interests of the game and bans the use of ‘threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.’
A breach of FA Rule E3(1) requires the FA’s Regulatory Commission to impose an immediate five match suspension, which may be increased depending on the presence of any aggravating features.
The FA may also decide that this is an aggravated breach under FA Rule E3(2) if they decide that there is a reference, whether express or implied, to gender.
A breach of FA Rule E3(2) requires the Commission to impose an immediate suspension of more than five matches, with a suggested starting point of ten matches. Any suspension can then be reduced or increased depending on the presence of any aggravating or mitigating features.
Both Mr Moyes and Sunderland have already apologised for the incident.
