READING assistant kit man Richard Bone has been handed a SIX-MATCH stadium ban after admitting he said referee Matt Corlett had “sucked d***” to reach League One level.”
The FA charged Bone for acting in an improper manner and using insulting and abusive words referencing sexual orientation towards a match official.
And the kitman admitted the charge to a disciplinary hearing and will not be allowed into stadiums for the Royals’ next six games.
The incident happened just before half-time during Reading’s League One match against Huddersfield in August.
Bone was heard to say: “The referee should be in the National League. He has sucked d*** to get to this level.”
The remark was overheard by fourth official Harrison Blair.
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In Corlett’s witness statement, he said: “The first time I became aware of the alleged homophobic comment was after the game, while I was in the referee’s changing room.
“The head of safety at Reading Dave Parker came into our room and was speaking to Harrison. I overheard them talking and one of them say, ‘the words used in the incident before half time’, so I interrupted and said, ‘Sorry gents, what are we talking about here?’
“Harrison then informed me that just before half time he heard someone from the Reading staff, who was standing in front of the tunnel and just behind him, say towards me, ‘He should be in the National League. He has sucked d*** to get to this level.’
“It was Dave Parker who confirmed the identity of the man who made the alleged comment as Richard Bone. He was not even listed on the team sheet therefore so shouldn’t have been situated by the tunnel anyway.”
Bone admitted the charge and the commission imposed not only a six-match ban but also a £200 fine and mandatory education.
Reading have been approached for comment.
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