Arsenal Youngster Jack Jebb Fined and Banned for Racial Abuse

Nick Akerman
(Featured Columnist) on October 2, 2013
27,438 reads



Jack Jebb, Arsenal’s highly rated teenage midfielder, faces an uncertain future after he was banned for four matches by the FA for racially abusing an opponent.
The 18-year-old’s charge dates back to March when he faced Norwich in an Under-18 encounter.

David Kent of the Daily Mail provides the details:
Sportsmail understands that it was not a Norwich player or member of the management team that reported the abuse, but that the charge was brought forward by the match officials.
In July the FA charged him on breach of rule E3—"using abusive and/or insulting words"—but the allegation also "included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race."
As a result, Jebb has been fined £1,800 and suspended from action, but the greater consequence may prove to be the impact it has on his Arsenal future.
Likened to namesake Jack Wilshere in his Arsenal profile, the creative midfielder impressed across seven appearances for last season’s U18 side. Jebb even managed to net a delicious free kick against Leicester U18s, and he currently possesses the No. 47 squad number.


Image via Paul Dennis/TGSPHOTO, via the Daily Mail

However, Arsene Wenger is known for setting extremely high moral standards at his club. For instance, he has been vocal against the act of diving in the past. As Kent notes, "The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards racist abuse or discrimination and is rightly proud of its multicultural identity," so Jebb's ban will not go unnoticed.

The Premier League has suffered a handful of high-profile racism cases across the last few years and will be wary of Jebb's behaviour after this incident.

Luis Suarez received an eight-match ban and fine of £40,000 in 2011 after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra on the pitch, while John Terry was slapped with a four-match ban and £22,000 fine for using racist language towards Anton Ferdinand.

As reported by Eurosport, Arsenal’s policy toward acts of racism could see Jebb punished further. Since the incident took place last year, he escapes the minimum five-match ban now imposed by the FA.

Whether disciplinary action is taken by the club or not, the young Gunners midfielder has soured his professional reputation before setting foot into a senior game.

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