Darren Fletcher’s Man United star son Jack is handed huge ban for ‘gay boy’ slur at opponent who made comments about his football legend dad and twin brother

Manchester United academy star Jack Fletcher was handed a six-match ban for using the term ‘gay man’ during an EFL Trophy match earlier this season.

The 18-year-old was shown a straight red card away to Barnsley in October and there was huge confusion over his dismissal that night.

But the FA has now published details of the disciplinary hearing which hit the United youngster hard for the offense, which he did not contest.

Jack, whose father Darren made 342 appearances for United and was the team’s interim manager before returning to full-time duty with the Under-18s at the start of this season, has broken into the club’s first team this season, making three Premier League appearances.

The FA’s report detailed how Fletcher became involved in a verbal confrontation with a Barnsley player following a Barnsley goal in the 62nd minute of the match. Barnsley player’s identity corrected.

Fletcher, son of United academy product Darren Fletcher, used the term ‘gay boy’

Referee Will Davis said he heard United youths shouting ‘you’re a gay boy’ at their Barnsley rival when he was about a meter away from Fletcher.

Fletcher did not dispute that he said this, but by way of explanation he stated that he had been subjected to two separate off-the-ball fouls in the second half of the game, including being thrown to the ground in the build-up to a goal and being stamped on his Achilles a short time later while the ball was not in play.

During his written submission, Fletcher explained that he reported the second incident to the referee and tried to remain calm, but his opponent, who was corrected after Barnsley’s third goal, made comments to him about his father Darren and twin brother Tyler.

Fletcher admitted that in response to these perceived jokes he said: ‘You seem to know a lot about me, are you a gay boy?’

The disciplinary committee supported Fletcher’s allegations of physical contact, particularly on his Achilles, with video evidence.

Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher celebrate winning the U18 Premier League in 2024

Dad Darren pictured playing for West Brom with his two sons and wife Hayley

However, breaches of FA Rule E3.2 range from six to twelve matches, with a minimum of six matches applying.

Fletcher said in a statement today: ‘I am truly sorry for the offensive word I used in the heat of the moment. Although I had no intention of using the term as a homophobic slur, I fully understood that such language was unacceptable and apologized immediately after the match.

‘I would like to make it clear that this momentary character lapse in no way reflects my beliefs or values.’

Fletcher expressed his regret at the homophobic language, stating in an interview that the words were used ‘in the heat of the moment when he was angry and frustrated’ about the events that took place during the match.

He added that he was not homophobic, that he did not normally use such language, and that his words were not intended to be a deliberate homophobic slur.

The fact that this remark was a one-time occurrence was part of Fletcher’s defence; He claimed that he did not believe the United youngster had made a deliberate homophobic slur, but instead was clearly trying to ‘rebuke’ his opponent without thinking.

As well as issuing a six-match ban and a £1,500 fine, the FA also required Fletcher to take part in a mandatory face-to-face training programme, which must be completed before 2 June 2026, or he risks indefinite suspension from the game until it is completed.