FA says John Yems used racial language but is 'not a conscious racist'
Yems, 63, was suspended from football for 15 months after admitting to one charge and being found guilty of 11 others relating to racist language towards his players between 2019 and 2022.
A further four charges were brought forward but were found to be unproven by an FA tribunal while a charge against Yems relating to racial segregation was also dropped.
The FA has since published more details along with the written reasons behind Yems' ban, although an independent panel agreed with his solicitors that he is unconscious in his actions.
The evidence concluded Yems:
• Described Muslim squad members as “terrorists”
• Mispronounced the second half of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name deliberately to emphasise the N-word
• Used racial stereotype to a black player of African origin by asking if he liked jerk chicken
• Told Muslim squad members “your people blow up stuff with vests”
• Told an Iraqi youth international he “would probably blow up the stadium”
• Repeatedly made comments to another player about “carrying a bomb in his bag”
• Called one player a “curry muncher”
• Made remarks to one player about “how dark his skin is” upon returning to the club after representing Grenada at international level
The FA disciplinary commission said in its findings: "We regard this as an extremely serious case. We have accepted that Mr Yems is not a conscious racist.
"If he were, an extremely lengthy, even permanent, suspension would be appropriate.
"Nevertheless, Mr Yems' 'banter' undoubtedly came across to the victims and others as offensive, racist and Islamophobic. Mr Yems simply paid no regard to the distress which his misplaced jocularity was causing."
Yems had been in charge at Crawley since December 2019 and was suspended in April 2022 shortly before he was dismissed in May.
