A former Premier League referee has been banned for five months by the Football Association for making a racist remark to a Black official after a game.
On Friday, it was revealed that Rodger Gifford, the ex-official involved, ceased working as a referees observer for the refereeing body PGMOL in January, during the early stages of an FA investigation into his comments.
An independent regulatory commission unanimously found Gifford guilty of using “abusive and/or insulting and/or improper” language, which included “a reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”
The incident occurred during a post-match debrief following an FA Cup second-round game between Newport County and Barnet in December 2023, when he addressed the official, who was working as an assistant referee coach.
Gifford denied the charge, but his comments were corroborated by several witnesses. The FA imposed a £400 fine and ordered him to attend an education course.
“His submissions that his comments were in some way light-hearted designed to reflect [the assistant referee coach’s] personality were not accepted,” said the independent regulatory commission.
“It is evident that the comments made by Mr Gifford included a reference to race.
“It is difficult to reconcile Mr Gifford’s position. He held a position of trust and responsibility within PGMOL. There is no place in the game, or society, for comments of this nature. There is no other position.”
BBC Sport understands that Gifford was not an employee of PGMOL but worked on a freelance basis and has not served as an observer since the game at Newport.
This incident marks Gifford’s second offense, as he admitted to a similar breach in 2022. For that earlier violation, he was suspended for eight weeks, fined £200, and required to complete an education program.