Referee observer banned for discriminatory comments

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reported that a Pro Ref referee observer, Brian Curson, has been suspended for nine weeks and fined £200 after a Football Association disciplinary case over discriminatory remarks made following a match he was assessing. The incident was said to have taken place at Kenilworth Road after the League One fixture between Luton Town and Rotherham United on 15 November 2025.

According to the report, an allegation was made that Curson made two discriminatory comments in the stadium lounge after the game. The FA investigated and charged him with improper conduct and with using abusive and/or insulting language. The case was treated as an aggravated breach because the comments were said to have referenced ethnic origin, race or nationality.

Curson, who has been involved in football for more than 40 years, said he did not remember making the remarks. However, the FA commission said it was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that they had been made. The governing body asked for a time-based sanction because of his role in the sport, and the commission settled on a nine-week suspension. Curson was also ordered to complete a mandatory education programme and was warned about his future conduct. The case underlines the FA’s disciplinary approach to discriminatory language within the game, including for off-field officials and assessors.