Richard Bone, Reading’s assistant kit manager, admitted the homophobic abuse of referee Matt Corlett during a 2-0 defeat by Huddersfield in League One in August
Reading’s assistant kit manager has been slapped with a six-match stadium ban, a £200 fine and sent on an education course after aiming vile homophobic abuse at a referee. Richard Bone admitted the charges, which stemmed from a League One match in August.
He was charged by the FA with “improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words towards the match referee” following an incident in the 40th minute of Reading’s 2-0 defeat by Huddersfield on August 9. Bone was overheard by the fourth official saying about the referee, Matt Corlett, “he should be in the National League. He has sucked d*** to get to this level”.
He admitted the charges and did not try to defend himself at a hearing.
“The club respects and supports the outcome of the regulatory commission process and acknowledges the importance of maintaining the highest standards of conduct within the game,” Reading said in a statement.
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“Richard has accepted responsibility for his actions and will now serve the sanctions imposed. Throughout this period, the club will support Richard in undertaking the required education programme and rehabilitation, with a focus on learning, accountability and personal development.”
Bone has been the assistant kit man at Reading since January 2023, having previously worked at Colchester United, Wealdstone and Chesham United in similar roles.
Corlett’s statement to the FA read: “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 RFC, who I know as ‘Dave’ came into our room and was speaking to HB [fourth official Harrison Blair].
“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’. HB then informed me that just before half time that he heard someone from the RFC staff team, 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 dick to get to this level’.
“It was Dave who confirmed the identity of the man who made the alleged comment as Richard Bone. RB was not listed on the RFC team sheet and therefore should not have been situated by the tunnel anyway, and even if he had been listed on the team sheet he should have been in the technical area itself and not stood behind HB.
“I made a note of the exact words that HB relayed to me, and I am 90percent sure that Dave also made a note. I have provided a photograph of the note I made. Also present in the changing room, when I received the report from HB and Dave were my two assistants, Andrew Bennett and Greg Read.
“After HB finished relaying what happened, we confirmed that this would be reported given the homophobic nature of the comment and the fact that this sort of incident requires us to make the necessary departments / individuals aware.”
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