The Football Association will appeal the length of former Crawley Town boss John Yems’ ban for making racist comments, as they believe ‘a longer sanction is appropriate’.
Yems, 63, has been banned from football until June 2024.
An independent panel found it guilty of racist insults towards his players following a hearing in November.
However, a disciplinary committee report said Yems’ comments were “not a case of conscious racism”.
Last week the FA said it “fundamentally disagrees” with that view and has already requested a suspension longer than the 18 months given to Yems.
Publishing the written reasons for his ban last week, the report said Yems had used “offensive, racist and Islamophobic” language, including joking that a Muslim player was a terrorist.
“We are appealing the sanction imposed by the Independent Panel on John Yems,” an FA spokesman said. “We believe a longer sanction is appropriate.”
Yems was suspended by Crawley on April 23 last year amid “serious and credible accusations” that he used discriminatory language and behavior towards his players between 2019 and 2022.
Then he parted ways with the Ligue 2 club 13 days later, two days after the The FA has announced that it is investigating the allegations against him.
Yems admitted an FA charge of making comments referring to ethnic origin, race, nationality, religion, sex or color but denied 15 other charges.
The independent regulatory commission found 11 of them proven and four unproven in a hearing and banned the Yems until June 1, 2024.
Another charge of segregating the club’s players on racial grounds was withdrawn by the FA ahead of the hearing.
The court report said how, in his defense, Yems “categorically denied that he was in any way racist.”
The panel consisted of barrister Robert Englehart KC, former Sheffield United striker Tony Agana and Wolverhampton Wanderers club secretary Matt Wild.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said the FA’s decision to appeal the length of the ban was “absolutely right”.
“[The disciplinary commission’s] comprehensive written reasons essentially excuse the behavior and language that resulted in the confirmation of 11 charges of discriminatory behavior and a ban,” said Jason Lee, PFA’s senior equality education officer, who did more of 650 appearances in 23 years of career.
“They offered a totally unnecessary and, in our view, totally baseless justification.
“They caused anger and anger in many. Each individual is responsible for the impact of their words and behavior. There should be no excuses.”
