Richard Chaplow's two-match ban for 'gay slur' towards Robbie Rogers called 'weak' after Hope Solo suspension

Former Premier League footballer Richard Chaplow has been given a two-match ban for verbally abusing Robbie Rogers after admitting to using “profane language” towards the openly gay United States international, leading to accusations that the suspension is far too lenient and sends out the wrong message against homophobic behaviour.

The decision also came on the same day that United States women international Hope Solo was banned from playing for her country for six months after she labelled the Swedish team “a bunch of cowards” for using defensive tactics in their recent Olympic encounter.

Chaplow, who represented Burnley, West Browmich Albion and Southampton among many others, currently plays for Orange County Blues in the United States, and the incident with Rogers took place during a third-tier match against LA Galaxy II.

In 2013, Rogers became the first active professional footballer to reveal he was gay in England since Justin Fashanu did in 1990, although Rogers did announce his retirement from the game shortly before the announcement, only to restart his career later that year.

The 29-year-old claimed he was subjected to a repeated “gay slur” by Chaplow during the recent match, although Chaplow denies making any homophobic comments and said “I am being wrongfully linked to homophobic slurs”.

The United Soccer League disagreed and banned Chaplow for two matches, with president Jake Edwards explaining the decision in a statement.

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“We cannot, nor will we, condone any language that is counter to the values we have instilled throughout the USL,” said Edwards.

Orange County added that they had "pursued the investigation vigorously”, but found no evidence to support Rogers’s accusation, while Chaplow apologised for using “profane language” during the match after he was on the receiving end of a strong challenge.

"I have a family member that is part of the LGBT community. I fully understand the weight and pressures it brings.

"I would like to sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended by the profane language I used on the pitch in response to what I felt was an overreaction to a tackle. This was obviously not the correct way to represent myself or the club."

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However, the suspension had been branded “weak” and “shameful” given that the decision came on the same day as Solo’s lengthy ban for calling the Swedish Olympic team “cowards” after accusing them of using defensive tactics to take their quarter-final in Rio to a penalty shootout, where tournament favourites the United States were eliminated.

Solo issued her own statement to claim that she had been let down by US Soccer, and insisted that her comments did not warrant a six-month ban along with the termination of her contract.

“For 17 years, I dedicated my life to the US Women’s National Team and did the job of a pro athlete the only way I knew how – with passion, tenacity, an unrelenting commitment to be the best goalkeeper in the world, not just for my country, but to elevate the sport for the next generation of female athletes,” Solo wrote on Facebook.

“And with so much more to give, I am saddened by the Federation’s decision to terminate my contract.

"I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even when I haven't made the best choices or said the right things. My entire career, I have only wanted the best for this team, for the players and the women's game and I will continue to pursue these causes with the same unrelenting passion with which I play the game."