English Soccer Player Suspended After Calling Team “A Bunch Of Faggots”

He later claimed he didn't know what the term meant.
From: NewNowNext

A soccer player in England was suspended and fined for a homophobic comment he made on Twitter last month.

Coventry City’s Chris Stokes received a one-match suspension and was slapped with a £1000 fine, or $1430, for calling the players of an opposing team a “bunch of faggots” on Twitter.

The city opened an internal investigation after the remarks and stated that he was being “charged for a remark he made which was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper. It was further alleged that it was an ’Aggravated Breach’ as it included a reference to sexual orientation.”

In addition to the fine and suspension, Stokes will have to attend an FA education course.

Stokes responded by saying he had no idea that the term was offensive or homophobic.

“I’d like to apologize for a term used in an earlier tweet,” he wrote on Twitter later. “I didn’t realize what the term meant and was shocked when people pointed it out.”

“It’s unacceptable and it won’t happen again. I am very sorry if I’ve caused offense to anyone,” he added, before eventually just deleting his account.