Axed Cardiff City defender Jack Simpson has issued a public statement of apology as he attempts to save his career following his shocking racist slur towards a Bluebirds team-mate.
Simson has apologised “unreservedly” for calling then Cardiff team-mate Rohan Luthra a “dirty P**i” during the club’s pre-season tour of Portugal in July. Full details of the incident were revealed last week when Simpson was banned for six matches and fined by the Football Association following an investigation.
Documents revealed Simpson made the “inexplicable” comment at the breakfast table in front of several Cardiff players following a late night of drinking after a match against Porto. He left the Bluebirds in August when his contract was terminated and is yet to sign for a new club. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter to get breaking news sent straight to your inbox. You can sign up here.
Releasing a statement, he said: “I wish to apologise publicly and unreservedly for the racist remark I made to Rohan Luthra on July 23. I have done so in private and it is important now, after the publication of the FA Commission decision in the matter, that I do so publicly to Rohan and all those who are rightly hurt by the nature of my comment.
“I hope this message conveys how strongly I feel about my mistake and how I intend to own it, and emerge as a better person. I love the game and I hope to play it again professionally.”
The investigation heard players had been given permission to enjoy “a few drinks” after a match against Porto FC, heading into Villamoura town. The official hearing documents state “having consumed high levels of alcohol”, Simpson returned to his room around 3am-4am. He got up and went down for breakfast around 6am – 6:30am. Luthra, a 21-year-old goalkeeper, approached the table where Simpson, Kieron Evans and Rubin Colwill were sat before the defender said to him: “Oh yeah, and you, you’re a dirty P**i.” The comment was described as “inexplicable”. There had been no conflict or animosity between the two during or prior to the trip.
