Sheffield United Women have terminated the contract of forward Sophie Jones after she was handed a five game ban and a £200 fine for using discriminatory language towards Tottenham's Renee Hector.
Following an FA Women's Championship clash in January, Spurs defender Hector took to Twitter, claiming to have been the subject of racist abuse.
“Such a shame that racism seems to be rising up again in football – I received some monkey noises today from an opposition player,” Hector wrote.
“The only reaction was to let the football do the talking and that we did great start to the year!”.
Following the suspension, Sheffield United Women confirmed in a statement that Jones' contract would be terminated.
"Following dialogue between the Club and Jones, and taking into account the length of the suspension, it has been decided that her contract, which was due for review in the summer, will be terminated by mutual agreement," the club said.
Jones denied the charge, but, as well as the fine and suspension, has now been ordered to attend an FA education course after the case was reviewed by an Independent Regulatory Commission.
An FA statement read: "Sophie Jones has been given a five-match suspension with immediate effect after an ‘Aggravated Breach’ of FA Rule E3(1) was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission.
"The Sheffield United FC Women’s player denied a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words – that included reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race – towards an opponent during an FA Women’s Championship fixture against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on 06 January 2019.
"The forward was also fined £200 and ordered to attend an FA education course."
In reaction to the news, Hector wrote on Twitter: “There is no place for racism in our game.
“A zero tolerance policy is imperative in stamping this out from football therefore I welcome this verdict.
“No one should be subjected to racist abuse on or off the pitch and I felt a responsibility to call it out for what it was.
“I want to know concentrate on the last five games of the AC and trying to secure promotion with Spurs. Than you to everyone who has supported me throughout this process.”
