Former Crawley Town manager John Yems has been the subject of controversy after making discriminatory comments towards a disabled journalist. The Football Association has now won an appeal to extend his ban until 2026, in a move that has been widely welcomed by those who believe that discrimination has no place in sport. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the story of John Yems and explore the implications of the FA’s decision.
Former Crawley Town manager John Yems has been suspended from all football and football-related activities up to and including January 5th, 2026, following a successful appeal by the Football Association. Previously, Yems had admitted to one charge and was found guilty of 11 out of the remaining 15 charges brought against him by the FA under rule E3.2. These incidents included comments relating to race, nationality, religion, belief, and gender, made to Crawley players between 2019 and 2022. As a result, Yems was initially banned for 17 months. However, the FA appealed this decision on the basis that the sanction was insufficient and that the verdict reached was unreasonable. The independent appeal board agreed with the FA, and the verdict was extended to a three-year ban.
This ban is the longest-ever issued to a participant in English football following a discrimination case. Despite the independent regulatory commission’s decision that Yems was “not a conscious racist,” the FA fundamentally disagreed with this verdict. The appeal board’s written reasons included the view that the original commission’s finding in this regard was untenable. The FA commended the outcome of the appeal and hoped it would encourage individuals to speak out against discrimination in football.
Kick It Out, a charity that advocates for inclusion and tackles discrimination in football, welcomed the extension of Yems’ ban as an important landmark moment in the fight against racism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination. The investigation into Yems’ behaviour began after a number of players from Crawley Town took their grievances to the Professional Footballers’ Association. Yems was initially suspended for 12 days prior to his dismissal, which occurred in May 2022.
As someone in a position of influence, it is vital that our words and actions reflect a commitment to respect and inclusivity. John Yems’ comments were both discriminatory and unacceptable, and it is only right that the FA has taken appropriate action to condemn and punish his behavior. We must all strive to create a culture where discrimination has no place, and we hope that this decision serves as a reminder of the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect.
