Southampton player banned for two games after abusing match officials

When Jack Stephens fouled Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho during the 79th minute of last month's match at St. Mary's Stadium, referee Stuart Attwell gave him the red card. In an FA regulatory commission hearing after his dismissal, the defender acknowledged using offensive words against Attwell as well as fourth official Gavin Ward.

According to The Athletic, Stephens called Ward a "f*cking little c***" and then called him a "c***" again as he was walking down the tunnel. Attwell also stated in his testimony that Stephens used the same disparaging words against him as soon as he showed the red card.

Jack Stephens formally apologized and conveyed his sincere regret for his acts in the commission. He claimed that the words he used were "out of character" and apologized for his emotional reaction to the circumstance. He said, “I bitterly regret my choice of language. The language I used is out of character for me.”

Jack Stephens has already completed a portion of his penalty by missing Southampton's league games against Ipswich Town as well as Bournemouth in addition to their Carabao Cup matchup against Everton. Because of his outburst at the referees, Garnacho's three-match suspension due the red card, which was given for major foul play, will now be extended by two more games.

“It was in the heat of the moment” : Jack Stephens

During the hearing, he revealed to the commission that, “When the decision was confirmed I was upset. I did something that I am very disappointed with myself for. I know the importance of accepting a referee’s decision but instead I spoke to him saying something that I would not normally say. I then used that language again to Mr Ward.”

The Southampton captain added, “This is not an excuse, but it was in the heat of the moment and I was not aggressive towards either of the officials and did not argue with them and left the pitch, returning only to pass on the captain’s armband.”